Said [pharaoh] unto the great ones around him: "Verily, this is indeed a sorcerer of great knowledge 34 "His plan is to get you out of your land by his sorcery; then what is it ye counsel?" 35 They said: Put him off, (him) and his brother, and send into the cities summoners 36 to bring every knowledgeable sorcerer' 37 The sorcerers were gathered at the appointed time on a wellknown day, 38 The people were asked, 'Will you assemble? 39 (They said): Aye, so that we may follow the wizards if they are the winners. 40 Then when the magicians came, they said unto Fir'awn: will there surely be a big hire for us if we are the winners? 41 "Yes," he replied. "You 'will be among the honoured." 42 Moses said to them: "Throw ye - that which ye are about to throw!" 43 So they threw their ropes and their sticks, and said: "By the might of Fir'aun (Pharaoh), it is we who will certainly win!" 44 Thereafter, Moses threw down his rod and behold, it went about swallowing up all the false devices they had contrived. 45 Thereupon the magicians fell down in prostration, 46 saying, "We believe in the Lord of the Universe 47 the Lord of Moses and Aaron' 48 He (Pharaoh) said: 'You have believed him before I have given you permission. He is the chief of you who has taught you sorcery. But you shall know. I will surely cut off on opposite sides a hand and a foot, and crucify you all.' 49 They said: "We do not care, for we are bound to return to our Lord, 50 "Verily! We really hope that our Lord will forgive us our sins, as we are the first of the believers [in Musa (Moses) and in the Monotheism which he has brought from Allah]." 51