'This', said he (Pharaoh) to his Council, 'is a cunning sorcerer 34 Who would drive you out of your land by his magic. Now what counsel ye? 35 They said: "Detain him and his brother for a while and send forth heralds to the cities 36 to bring every knowledgeable sorcerer' 37 And so the sorcerers were assembled at a set time on a certain day, 38 and the people were told, "Will you also gather together, 39 We may perhaps follow the religion of the magicians if they triumph." 40 And when the magicians arrived, they said to Pharaoh, "Is there indeed for us a reward if we are the predominant?" 41 He said: "Yea, (and more),- for ye shall in that case be (raised to posts) nearest (to my person)." 42 Musa said unto them: cast whatsoever ye have to cast. 43 So they cast down their ropes and staffs, and said, "By Pharaoh's honour, we shall surely win." 44 Then Moses threw down his staff, and it swallowed up all that they had conjured into being. 45 The magicians therefore fell down prostrate. 46 They said: we believe in the Lord of the worlds. 47 the Lord of Moses and Aaron." 48 Said Pharaoh, 'You have believed him before I gave you leave. Why, he is the chief of you, the same that taught you sorcery; now you shall know! I shall assuredly cut off alternately your hands and feet, then I shall crucify you all together.' 49 They said: "No harm! Surely, to our Lord (Allah) we are to return; 50 Indeed, we aspire that our Lord will forgive us our sins because we were the first of the believers." 51