Pharaoh said to the nobles around him: "Surely this man is a skilled magician 34 Who wants to drive you out of your land by his sorcery. Now what do you advise?" 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 magicians were assembled at a stated time and place on an appointed day. 38 And it was said to the people: "Are you (too) going to assemble? 39 Belike we may follow the magicians 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 He said: yea; and ye shall verily then be of those brought nigh. 42 Moses said to the magicians, "Throw down whatever you are going to throw." 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 his rod, when, behold, it straightway swallows up all the falsehoods which they fake! 45 And down fell the sorcerers, prostrating themselves in adoration, 46 They said, 'We believe in the Lord of all Being, 47 The Lord of Musa and Haroun. 48 Said (the Pharaoh): "You have come to believe in him before I gave you leave. He is surely your chief, who taught you magic. You will soon come to know: I will have your hands and feet cut off on alternate sides, and have every one of you crucified." 49 They said: It is no hurt, for lo! unto our Lord we shall return. 50 Indeed, we aspire that our Lord will forgive us our sins because we were the first of the believers." 51