The Pharaoh said to the people around him, "He is certainly a skillful magician. 34 He wants to drive you out of your land by his magic, so what do you advise?" 35 They said: "Put him off and his brother (for a while), and send callers to the cities 36 “To bring to you every expert great magician.” 37 So the magicians were gathered together at the appointed time on the fixed day, 38 and the people were told, "Will you also gather together, 39 so that we might follow [in the footsteps of] the sorcerers if it is they who prevail?" 40 Then, when the sorcerers came to Pharaoh, they said: 'Shall we receive a wage if we win' 41 "Yes," he replied. "You 'will be among the honoured." 42 [And] Moses said unto them: "Throw whatever you are going to throw!" 43 Thereupon they threw down their ropes and their rods, and said: "By the glory of Pharaoh, we shall prevail." 44 [But] then Moses threw his staff - and lo! it swallowed up all their deceptions. 45 The magicians therefore fell down prostrate. 46 Saying: "We believe in the Lord of the Worlds, 47 The Lord of Musa and Harun. 48 The Pharaoh said, "You believed without my permission? He seems to be your chief who has taught you magic. But you will soon know (the result of what you have done). I shall certainly cut off your hands and feet on opposite sides and crucify you all together." 49 They said: no harm! verily unto our Lord we are to return. 50 We hope our Lord will forgive us, as we are the first of the believers." 51