'This', said he (Pharaoh) to his Council, 'is a cunning sorcerer 34 who seeks to expel you from your land by his sorcery. What is your counsel' 35 They said: put off him and his brother, and send unto the cities callers. 36 "To bring up to you every well-versed sorcerer." 37 So all the magicians gathered together at the appointed time 38 And it was said to the people: Will you gather together? 39 Belike we may follow the magicians if they are the winners? 40 Then, when the sorcerers came to Pharaoh, they said: 'Shall we receive a wage if we win' 41 Answered he: "Yea - and verily, in that case you shall be among those who are near unto me. 42 Moosa said to them, “Cast whatever you intend to cast.” 43 So they cast down their ropes and staffs saying, "By the honor of the Pharaoh we shall certainly become the winners". 44 Then Moses threw down his staff, and lo, it swallowed up their conjurations. 45 And down fell the sorcerers, prostrating themselves in adoration, 46 [and] exclaimed: "We have come to believe in the Sustainer of all the worlds, 47 The Lord of Musa and Haroun. 48 Said Firaun, “You accepted faith in him before I permitted you! He is indeed your leader who taught you magic; so now you will come to know; I swear, I will certainly cut off your hands and your feet from alternate sides, and crucify all of you.” 49 They said: "We do not care, for we are bound to return to our Lord, 50 We are eager that our Lord should forgive us our offences, for that we are the first of the believers.' 51