The Pharaoh said to the chiefs around him: "He is certainly a clever magician. 34 who desires to expel you from your land by his sorcery; what do you command?' 35 They said: "Put him off and his brother (for a while), and send callers to the cities 36 who shall assemble before thee all sorcerers of great knowledge" 37 So the wizards were gathered together at a set time on a day appointed. 38 And it was said to the people, "Will you congregate 39 Haply we may follow the magicians, if they are the vanquishers. 40 When the magicians came forth (for the encounter) they said to Pharaoh: "Is there a reward for us if we triumph?" 41 He said: Yes, and surely you will then be of those who are made near. 42 Moses said to them: "Throw down whatever you wish to throw." 43 Then they threw down their cords and their staves and said: By Pharaoh's might, lo! we verily are the winners. 44 Then Musa cast down his staff and lo! it swallowed up the lies they told. 45 The magicians fell down prostrate, 46 Crying: We believe in the Lord of the Worlds, 47 The Lord of Musa and Harun. 48 [Pharaoh] said, "You believed Moses before I gave you permission. Indeed, he is your leader who has taught you magic, but you are going to know. I will surely cut off your hands and your feet on opposite sides, and I will surely crucify you all." 49 They said: "No harm! Surely, to our Lord (Allah) we are to return; 50 Indeed, we aspire that our Lord will forgive us our sins because we were the first of the believers." 51