Said the Council of the people of Pharaoh, 'Surely this man is a cunning sorcerer 109 who seeks to drive you out from your land. What would you have us do?' 110 They said: Put him off and his brother, and send collectors into the cities: 111 who should bring to you every skillful magician." 112 The magicians came to the Pharaoh and said: "Is there reward for us if we succeed?" 113 'Yes' he answered, 'and you will be among those near' 114 They said: O Moses! Either throw (first) or let us be the first throwers? 115 He said, "You throw [first]!" When they made their cast, they bewitched the eyes of the people and struck them with awe, for they showed a great [feat of] magic. 116 And [then] We inspired Moses, "Throw down thy staff!" - and lo! it swallowed up all their deceptions: 117 ۞ Thus truth was confirmed, and all that they did was made of no effect. 118 So the (great ones) were vanquished there and then, and were made to look small. 119 And the sorcerers were cast down, bowing themselves. 120 They said: we believe in the Lord of the worlds. 121 The Lord of Moses and Aaron. 122 Fir'awn said: believed ye in him ere I have given you leave? Verily this is a plot ye have plotted in the city that ye may drive forth the people thereof. So presently ye shall know. 123 "Be sure I will cut off your hands and your feet on apposite sides, and I will cause you all to die on the cross." 124 They said: Surely to our Lord shall we go back: 125 "And you take vengeance on us only because we believed in the Ayat (proofs, evidences, lessons, signs, etc.) of our Lord when they reached us! Our Lord! pour out on us patience, and cause us to die as Muslims." 126