Pharaoh said to the nobles around him: "Surely this man is a skilled magician 34 Who wants to drive you out of your land by his sorcery. Now what do you advise?" 35 They said: "Keep him and his brother in suspense (for a while), and dispatch to the Cities heralds to collect- 36 to bring thee every cunning sorcerer. 37 So the sorcerers were assembled for the appointed time of a fixed day. 38 And it was said to the people, "Will you congregate 39 in order that we shall follow the sorcerers if they are the victors' 40 So when the sorcerers arrived, they said to Fir'aun (Pharaoh): "Will there surely be a reward for us if we are the winners?" 41 He said: "Yea, (and more),- for ye shall in that case be (raised to posts) nearest (to my person)." 42 Moses said to them: "Throw down whatever you wish to throw." 43 So they cast their ropes and staffs, saying: 'By Pharaoh's might, we shall be the victors' 44 Thereafter, Moses threw down his rod and behold, it went about swallowing up all the false devices they had contrived. 45 Thereupon the magicians fell down in prostration, 46 Saying: "We believe in the Lord of the Worlds, 47 the Lord of Moses and Aaron' 48 Said [Pharaoh]: "Have you come to believe in him ere I have given you permission? Verily, he must be your master who has taught you magic! But in time you shall come to know [my revenge]: most certainly shall I cut off your hands and your feet in great numbers, because of [your] perverseness, and shall most certainly crucify you in great numbers, all together!" 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 offenses, for we are the first of the believers' 51