The Pharaoh said to the chiefs around him: "He is certainly a clever magician. 34 “He wishes to expel you out of your land by his magic; so what is your advice?” 35 They said: "Put him off and his brother (for a while), and send callers to the cities 36 Who will bring you every learned, skilled magician." 37 So the magicians were gathered together at the appointed time on the fixed day, 38 and the people were asked: Are you all present, 39 Haply we shall follow the sorcerers if it should be they are the victors.' 40 Then, when the sorcerers came, they said to Pharaoh, 'Shall we indeed have a wage, if we should be the victors?' 41 Answered he: "Yea - and verily, in that case you shall be among those who are near unto me. 42 Moses said to the magicians, "Throw down whatever you are going to throw." 43 So they cast their ropes and staffs, saying: 'By Pharaoh's might, we shall be the victors' 44 Then Moses threw down his staff, and lo, it swallowed up their conjurations. 45 And down fell the sorcerers, prostrating themselves in adoration, 46 They said, "We have believed in the Lord of the worlds, 47 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 is no hurt, for lo! unto our Lord we shall return. 50 Indeed, we aspire that our Lord will forgive us our sins because we were the first of the believers." 51