Said [pharaoh] unto the great ones around him: "Verily, this is indeed a sorcerer of great knowledge 34 who wants to drive you out of your land by his magic. Tell us, what do you advise us?" 35 They replied: 'Put him and his brother off for a while, and send heralds to your cities 36 and summon every skillful magician from all the cities." 37 So the magicians were assembled for the appointment of a well-known day. 38 The people were asked, 'Will you assemble? 39 in order that we shall follow the sorcerers if they are the victors' 40 And when the magicians arrived, they said to Pharaoh, "Is there indeed for us a reward if we are the predominant?" 41 He said, "Yes, and indeed, you will then be of those near [to me]." 42 Moses said to them: 'Cast down what you cast' 43 Then they threw down their cords and their staves and said: By Pharaoh's might, lo! we verily are the winners. 44 Thereafter, Moses threw down his rod and behold, it went about swallowing up all the false devices they had contrived. 45 And the magicians were thrown down prostrate; 46 Crying: We believe in the Lord of the Worlds, 47 "The Lord of Musa (Moses) and Harun (Aaron)." 48 Said Pharaoh, 'You have believed him before I gave you leave. Why, he is the chief of you, the same that taught you sorcery; now you shall know! I shall assuredly cut off alternately your hands and feet, then I shall crucify you all together.' 49 They said: "No matter! for us, we shall but return to our Lord! 50 “We hope that our Lord will forgive us our mistakes, as we are the first to believe.” 51