Said he to the Council about him, 'Surely this man is a cunning sorcerer 34 He wants to drive you out of your land by his magic. So, what do you bid?" 35 They said: "Detain him and his brother for a while and send forth heralds to the cities 36 who shall assemble before thee all sorcerers of great knowledge" 37 So the magicians were assembled at a set time on a day made known. 38 and the people were asked: 'Will you gather 39 Haply we may follow the magicians, if they are the vanquishers. 40 Then, when the sorcerers came, they said to Pharaoh, 'Shall we indeed have a wage, if we should be the victors?' 41 He said: "Yea, (and more),- for ye shall in that case be (raised to posts) nearest (to my person)." 42 Moses said to them: 'Cast down what you cast' 43 So they cast down their ropes and staffs, and said, "By Pharaoh's honour, we shall surely win." 44 Then Musa cast down his staff and lo! it swallowed up the lies they told. 45 Thereupon the magicians fell down in prostration, 46 [and] exclaimed: "We have come to believe in the Sustainer of all the worlds, 47 “The Lord of Moosa and Haroon.” 48 [Fir'aun (Pharaoh)] said: "You have believed in him before I give you leave. Surely, he indeed is your chief, who has taught you magic! So verily, you shall come to know. Verily, I will cut off your hands and your feet on opposite sides, and I will crucify you all." 49 They said: No harm; surely to our Lord we go back; 50 Verily we long that our Lord shall forgive us our faults because we have been the first of the believers 51