Pharaoh said to the chiefs around him, "Surely this man is a skilful sorcerer. 34 who desires to expel you from your land by his sorcery; what do you command?' 35 They said: "Keep him and his brother in suspense (for a while), and dispatch to the Cities heralds to collect- 36 who shall assemble before thee all sorcerers of great knowledge" 37 So the magicians were gathered at a set time on a day appointed. 38 and the people were asked: Are you all present, 39 Haply we shall follow the sorcerers if it should be they are the victors.' 40 So when the sorcerers arrived, they said to Pharaoh: "Of course - shall we have a (suitable) reward if we win? 41 He said: "Yes, you will then become those near-stationed 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 cast down his staff and suddenly it swallowed up what they had falsely invented. 45 And the magicians were thrown down prostrate; 46 Saying: "We believe in the Lord of the 'Alamin (mankind, jinns and all that exists). 47 "The Lord of Moses and Aaron." 48 Pharaoh said: "You accepted the word of Moses even before I granted you the leave to do so. Surely he is your chief who has taught you magic. Soon shall you come to know. I shall cut off your hands and feet on opposite sides and shall crucify all of you." 49 They said: "No matter! for us, we shall but return to our Lord! 50 Lo! we ardently hope that our Lord will forgive us our sins because we are the first of the believers. 51