Said he to the Council about him, 'Surely this man is a cunning sorcerer 34 who wants to drive you out of your land by his sorcery. What, then, do you advise?" 35 They said: "Keep him and his brother in suspense (for a while), and dispatch to the Cities heralds to collect- 36 "And bring up to thee all (our) sorcerers well-versed." 37 The sorcerers were gathered at the appointed time on a wellknown day, 38 and the people were told, "Will you also gather together, 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, they asked Pharaoh, "Shall we have a reward, if we are the winners?" 41 He replied, "You will then be my closest associates". 42 Musa (Moses) said to them: "Throw what you are going to throw!" 43 So they cast down their cords and their rods and said: By Firon's power, we shall most surely be victorious. 44 Then Musa cast down his staff, and lo! it swallowed up that which they had devised. 45 so the sorcerers were cast down, bowing themselves. 46 saying: 'We believe in the Lord of the Worlds, 47 the Lord of Moses and Aaron." 48 Said (Pharaoh): "Believe ye in Him before I give you permission? surely he is your leader, who has taught you sorcery! but soon shall ye know! Be sure I will cut off your hands and your feet on opposite sides, and I will cause you all to die on the cross!" 49 They said: "There will be no harm. We shall return to our Lord. 50 "Only, our desire is that our Lord will forgive us our faults, that we may become foremost among the believers!" 51