Fir'awn said unto the chiefs around him: verily this is a magician knowing. 34 who seeks to expel you from your land by his sorcery. What is your counsel' 35 They said, "Hold him and his brother off for a while 36 to mobilise all skilled magicians." 37 So the sorcerers were got together for the appointment of a day well-known, 38 The people were asked, 'Will you assemble? 39 so that we might follow [in the footsteps of] the sorcerers if it is they who prevail?" 40 When the magicians came forth (for the encounter) they said to Pharaoh: "Is there a reward for us if we triumph?" 41 He said: Aye, and ye will then surely be of those brought near (to me). 42 Musa said to them: Cast what you are going to cast. 43 So they threw their ropes and their sticks, and said: "By the might of Fir'aun (Pharaoh), it is we who will certainly win!" 44 Therefore Moosa put forth his staff – so it immediately began swallowing all their fabrications. 45 And the wizards were flung prostrate, 46 They said: We believe in the Lord of the worlds: 47 The Lord of Moses and Aaron." 48 Said (Pharaoh): "Believe ye in Him before I give you permission? surely he is your leader, who has taught you sorcery! but soon shall ye know! Be sure I will cut off your hands and your feet on opposite sides, and I will cause you all to die on the cross!" 49 'There is no harm' they replied, 'for surely to our Lord we are turning. 50 "Verily! We really hope that our Lord will forgive us our sins, as we are the first of the believers [in Musa (Moses) and in the Monotheism which he has brought from Allah]." 51