'This', said he (Pharaoh) to his Council, 'is a cunning sorcerer 34 Who would drive you out of your land by his magic. Now what counsel ye? 35 They said, "Postpone [the matter of] him and his brother and send among the cities gatherers 36 Who will bring you every learned, skilled magician." 37 So the sorcerers were assembled for the appointed time of a fixed day. 38 and the people were asked: Are you all present, 39 That we might follow the magicians if they are the predominant?" 40 Then, when the sorcerers came to Pharaoh, they said: 'Shall we receive a wage if we win' 41 Answered he: "Yea - and verily, in that case you shall be among those who are near unto me. 42 Musa said unto them: cast whatsoever ye have to cast. 43 So they cast down their ropes and staffs saying, "By the honor of the Pharaoh we shall certainly become the winners". 44 Then Moses threw down his staff, and lo, it swallowed up their conjurations. 45 So the magicians fell down in prostration [to Allah]. 46 saying: "We (now) believe in the Lord of the Universe, 47 "The Lord of Musa (Moses) and Harun (Aaron)." 48 Fir'awn said: ye believed in him ere I gave you leave. Verily he is your chief who hath taught you magic, so ye shall surely come to know. Surely I shall cut off your hands and feet on opposite sides and surely I shall crucify you all. 49 They said, "It does not matter. We shall be returning to our Lord. 50 We hope that our Lord will forgive us for our sins; we were not believers at first." 51