'This', said he (Pharaoh) to his Council, 'is a cunning sorcerer 34 He wants to expel you from your land through his magic. What is your opinion?" 35 They said: Give him and his brother respite and send heralds into the cities 36 and summon every skillful magician from all the cities." 37 So the magicians were brought together on a particular day at a set time 38 And the people were also asked to assemble. 39 Haply we shall follow the sorcerers if it should be they are the victors.' 40 And when the magicians came, they said to Firon: Shall we get a reward if we are the vanquishers? 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 Then they cast their cords and their staves, and said: by the might of Fir'awn, verily we! we shall be the winners. 44 Then Moses cast down his staff and suddenly it swallowed up what they had falsely invented. 45 And the wizards were flung prostrate, 46 saying: "We (now) believe in the Lord of the Universe, 47 The Lord of Moses and Aaron. 48 [Pharaoh] said, "You believed Moses before I gave you permission. Indeed, he is your leader who has taught you magic, but you are going to know. I will surely cut off your hands and your feet on opposite sides, and I will surely crucify you all." 49 They said, "It does not matter. We shall be returning to our Lord. 50 We hope that our Lord will forgive us for our sins; we were not believers at first." 51