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. What, then, do you advise?" 35 They said: "Put him and his brother off awhile, and send summoners to the cities to gather 36 And bring the ablest magicians to you." 37 So the sorcerers were assembled for the appointed time of a fixed day. 38 And it was said unto the people: Are ye (also) gathering? 39 so that we might follow [in the footsteps of] the sorcerers if it is they who prevail?" 40 Now when the sorcerers came, they said unto Pharaoh: "Verily, we ought to have a great reward if it is we who prevail. 41 Answered he: "Yea - and verily, in that case you shall be among those who are near unto me. 42 (Moses) asked the magicians, "Cast down what you want to". 43 So they cast their ropes and their staffs, and said, 'By the might of Pharaoh we shall be the victors.' 44 Then Moses cast down his staff and it swallowed up their lying invention, 45 Then the magicians flung themselves prostrate. 46 They said: we believe in the Lord of the worlds. 47 The Lord of Moses and Aaron." 48 Said he: You believe in him before I give you permission; most surely he is the chief of you who taught you the magic, so you shall know: certainly I will cut off your hands and your feet on opposite sides, and certainly I will crucify you all. 49 They said, "No harm. Indeed, to our Lord we will return. 50 "Verily! We really hope that our Lord will forgive us our sins, as we are the first of the believers [in Musa (Moses) and in the Monotheism which he has brought from Allah]." 51