The Pharaoh said to the chiefs around him: "He is certainly a clever magician. 34 who seeks to expel you from your land by his sorcery. What is your counsel' 35 They said, "Postpone [the matter of] him and his brother and send among the cities gatherers 36 "To bring up to you every well-versed sorcerer." 37 So the magicians were assembled at a set time on a day made known. 38 The people were asked, 'Will you assemble? 39 in order that we shall follow the sorcerers if they are the victors' 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) asked the magicians, "Cast down what you want to". 43 Then they threw down their cords and their staves and said: By Pharaoh's might, lo! we verily are the winners. 44 Then Moses threw his staff and lo! it swallowed that which they did falsely show. 45 And the magicians were thrown down prostrate; 46 And said: "We (affirm and) believe in the Lord of all the worlds, 47 the Lord of Moses and Aaron' 48 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!" 49 They said: "No matter! for us, we shall but return to our Lord! 50 Surely we hope that our Lord will forgive us our wrongs because we are the first of the believers. 51