[Fir'aun (Pharaoh)] said to the chiefs around him: "Verily! This is indeed a well-versed sorcerer. 34 He wants to drive you out of your land by his magic, so what do you advise?" 35 They said, "Postpone [the matter of] him and his brother and send among the cities gatherers 36 And bring the ablest magicians to you." 37 So the magicians were assembled for the appointment of a well-known day. 38 and the people were asked, "Will you all be there?" 39 in order that we shall follow the sorcerers if they are the victors' 40 So when the sorcerers arrived, they said to Fir'aun (Pharaoh): "Will there surely be a reward for us if we are the winners?" 41 He said: "Yes, and you shall then verily be of those brought near (to myself)." 42 Moses said to them: "Throw down whatever you wish to throw." 43 So they threw their ropes and their rods, and said: "By the might of Pharaoh, it is we who will certainly win!" 44 Then Moses threw his staff, and at once it devoured what they falsified. 45 And the magicians were thrown down prostrate; 46 saying, "We believe in the Lord of the Universe 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, "It does not matter. We shall be returning to our Lord. 50 Indeed, we aspire that our Lord will forgive us our sins because we were the first of the believers." 51