'This', said he (Pharaoh) to his Council, 'is a cunning sorcerer 34 "He wants to drive you out of your land by his sorcery, then what is it your counsel, and what do you command?" 35 They said, "Postpone [the matter of] him and his brother and send among the cities gatherers 36 to bring thee every cunning sorcerer. 37 So the magicians were assembled at a stated time and place on an appointed day. 38 And the people were also asked to assemble. 39 "That we may follow the sorcerers [who were on Fir'aun's (Pharaoh) religion of disbelief] if they are the winners." 40 When the magicians came forth (for the encounter) they said to Pharaoh: "Is there a reward for us if we triumph?" 41 'Yes, indeed' he answered, 'and you shall become among those who are near stationed' 42 (Moses) asked the magicians, "Cast down what you want to". 43 So they threw their ropes and their staffs and said, "By the might of Pharaoh, indeed it is we who are predominant." 44 Then Moses threw down his staff, and it swallowed up all that they had conjured into being. 45 The magicians fell down prostrate, 46 They said, "We have believed in the Lord of the worlds, 47 The Lord of Musa and Harun. 48 The Pharaoh said, "You believed without my permission? He seems to be your chief who has taught you magic. But you will soon know (the result of what you have done). I shall certainly cut off your hands and feet on opposite sides and crucify you all together." 49 They said: no harm! verily unto our Lord we are to return. 50 Verily we long that our Lord shall forgive us our faults because we have been the first of the believers 51