Said [pharaoh] unto the great ones around him: "Verily, this is indeed a sorcerer of great knowledge 34 who wants to drive you out of your land by his magic. Tell us, what do you advise us?" 35 They said, "Postpone [the matter of] him and his brother and send among the cities gatherers 36 That they should bring to you every skillful magician. 37 So the magicians were gathered together at the appointed time on the fixed day, 38 And it was said to the people, "Will you congregate 39 "That we may follow the sorcerers (in religion) if they win?" 40 Then, when the sorcerers came, they said to Pharaoh, 'Shall we indeed have a wage, if we should be the victors?' 41 Answered he: "Yea - and verily, in that case you shall be among those who are near unto me. 42 Musa said unto them: cast whatsoever ye have to cast. 43 So they cast their ropes and rods, and said: "By the glory of Pharaoh, we shall be victorious." 44 Thereafter, Moses threw down his rod and behold, it went about swallowing up all the false devices they had contrived. 45 And down fell the sorcerers, prostrating themselves in adoration, 46 They said, “We have accepted faith in the Lord Of The Creation.” 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: "There will be no harm. We shall return to our Lord. 50 Indeed, we aspire that our Lord will forgive us our sins because we were the first of the believers." 51