[Fir'aun (Pharaoh)] said to the chiefs around him: "Verily! This is indeed a well-versed sorcerer. 34 who wants to drive you out of your land by his magic. Tell us, what do you advise us?" 35 They said: "Keep him and his brother in suspense (for a while), and dispatch to the Cities heralds to collect- 36 “To bring to you every expert great magician.” 37 So the magicians were assembled at a set time on a day made known. 38 and the people were asked, "Will you all be there?" 39 so that we might follow [in the footsteps of] the sorcerers if it is they who prevail?" 40 When the magicians came, they asked Pharaoh, "Shall we have a reward, if we are the winners?" 41 He said, “Yes, and you will then become close to me.” 42 Moses said to the magicians, "Throw down whatever you are going to throw." 43 Thereupon they threw down their ropes and their rods, and said: "By the glory of Pharaoh, we shall prevail." 44 Then Moses threw down his staff, and it swallowed up all that they had conjured into being. 45 So the magicians fell down in prostration [to Allah]. 46 And said: "We (affirm and) believe in the Lord of all the worlds, 47 the Sustainer of Moses and Aaron!" 48 [Pharaoh] said, "You believed Moses before I gave you permission. Indeed, he is your leader who has taught you magic, but you are going to know. I will surely cut off your hands and your feet on opposite sides, and I will surely crucify you all." 49 They said: no harm! verily unto our Lord we are to return. 50 We are eager that Our Lord should forgive us our offenses, for we are the first of the believers' 51