The Pharaoh said to the people around him, "He is certainly a skillful magician. 34 who wants to drive you out of your land by his magic. Tell us, what do you advise us?" 35 They said: "Keep him and his brother in suspense (for a while), and dispatch to the Cities heralds to collect- 36 who shall assemble before thee all sorcerers of great knowledge" 37 The sorcerers were gathered at the appointed time on a wellknown day, 38 and the people were asked: 'Will you gather 39 (They said): Aye, so that we may follow the wizards if they are the winners. 40 "When the magicians came, they asked the Pharaoh, "Will there be any reward for us if we win?" 41 He said: Yes, and surely you will then be of those who are made near. 42 Moses said to the magicians, "Throw down whatever you are going to throw." 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 [But] then Moses threw his staff - and lo! it swallowed up all their deceptions. 45 So the magicians fell down in prostration [to Allah]. 46 They said, 'We believe in the Lord of all Being, 47 The Lord of Musa and Haroun. 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: It is no hurt, for lo! unto our Lord we shall return. 50 Behold, we [but] ardently desire that our Sustainer forgive us our faults in return for our having been foremost among the believers!" 51