:40. "That we may follow the sorcerers (in religion) if they win?"
:41. So when the sorcerers arrived, they said to Pharaoh: "Of course - shall we have a (suitable) reward if we win?
:42. He said: "Yea, (and more),- for ye shall in that case be (raised to posts) nearest (to my person)."
:43. Moses said to them: "Throw ye - that which ye are about to throw!"
:44. So they threw their ropes and their rods, and said: "By the might of Pharaoh, it is we who will certainly win!"
:45. Then Moses threw his rod, when, behold, it straightway swallows up all the falsehoods which they fake!
:46. Then did the sorcerers fall down, prostrate in adoration,
:47. Saying: "We believe in the Lord of the Worlds,
:48. "The Lord of Moses and Aaron."
:49. 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!"
:50. They said: "No matter! for us, we shall but return to our Lord!
:51. "Only, our desire is that our Lord will forgive us our faults, that we may become foremost among the believers!"
:52. By inspiration we told Moses: "Travel by night with my servants; for surely ye shall be pursued."
:53. Then Pharaoh sent heralds to (all) the Cities,
:54. (Saying): "These (Israelites) are but a small band,
:55. "And they are raging furiously against us;
:56. "But we are a multitude amply fore-warned."
:57. So We expelled them from gardens, springs,
:58. Treasures, and every kind of honourable position;
:59. Thus it was, but We made the Children of Israel inheritors of such things.
:60. So they pursued them at sunrise.
