Said he to the Council about him, 'Surely this man is a cunning sorcerer 34 who wants to drive you out of your land by his magic. Tell us, what do you advise us?" 35 They said, 'Put him and his brother off a while, and send among the cities musterers, 36 And bring the ablest magicians to you." 37 So the magicians were assembled for the appointment of a well-known day. 38 The people were asked, 'Will you assemble? 39 "That we may follow the sorcerers (in religion) if they win?" 40 Then, when the sorcerers came, they said to Pharaoh, 'Shall we indeed have a wage, if we should be the victors?' 41 He said, “Yes, and you will then become close to me.” 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 Then Moses threw down his staff, and it swallowed up all that they had conjured into being. 45 Thereupon the magicians fell down in prostration, 46 saying: 'We believe in the Lord of the Worlds, 47 and the Lord of Moses and Aaron." 48 Said (the Pharaoh): "You have come to believe in him before I gave you leave. He is surely your chief, who taught you magic. You will soon come to know: I will have your hands and feet cut off on alternate sides, and have every one of you crucified." 49 They said, "It does not matter. We shall be returning to our Lord. 50 Verily we long that our Lord shall forgive us our faults because we have been the first of the believers 51