Said he to the Council about him, 'Surely this man is a cunning sorcerer 34 He wants to expel you from your land through his magic. What is your opinion?" 35 They replied: 'Put him and his brother off for a while, and send heralds to your cities 36 That they may bring to thee every magician knowing. 37 The sorcerers were gathered at the appointed time on a wellknown day, 38 And it was said to the people: Will you gather together? 39 Haply we may follow the magicians, if they are the vanquishers. 40 "When the magicians came, they asked the Pharaoh, "Will there be any reward for us if we win?" 41 He said: "Yes, and you shall then verily be of those brought near (to myself)." 42 Musa (Moses) said to them: "Throw what you are going to throw!" 43 So they threw their ropes and their sticks, and said: "By the might of Fir'aun (Pharaoh), it is we who will certainly win!" 44 Then Moses threw down his staff, and it swallowed up all that they had conjured into being. 45 And down fell the sorcerers, prostrating themselves in adoration, 46 They said: we believe in the Lord of the worlds. 47 the Lord of Moses and 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, 'There is no harm; surely unto our Lord we are turning. 50 We are eager that our Lord should forgive us our offences, for that we are the first of the believers.' 51