Pharaoh said to the chiefs around him, "Surely this man is a skilful sorcerer. 34 who wants to drive you out of your land by his sorcery. What, then, do you advise?" 35 They said, "Hold him and his brother off for a while 36 and summon every skillful magician from all the cities." 37 So the magicians were assembled at a stated time and place on an appointed day. 38 And the people were told: "Are ye (now) assembled?- 39 so that we may follow the magicians if they become victorious? 40 And when the wizards came they said unto Pharaoh: Will there surely be a reward for us if we are the winners? 41 He said: Aye, and ye will then surely be of those brought near (to me). 42 Moses said to them: 'Cast down what you cast' 43 So they cast their ropes and rods, and said: "By the glory of Pharaoh, we shall be victorious." 44 Then Moses cast down his staff and suddenly it swallowed up what they had falsely invented. 45 The magicians therefore fell down prostrate. 46 [and] exclaimed: "We have come to believe in the Sustainer of all the worlds, 47 "The Lord of Musa (Moses) and Harun (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 They answered: "No harm [canst thou do to us]: verily, unto our Sustainer do we turn! 50 “We hope that our Lord will forgive us our mistakes, as we are the first to believe.” 51