The Pharaoh said to the chiefs around him: "He is certainly a clever magician. 34 who wants to drive you out of your land by his sorcery. What, then, do you advise?" 35 They said: put off him and his brother, and send unto the cities callers. 36 Who shall bring unto thee every knowing wizard. 37 So the magicians were assembled at a set time on a day made known. 38 The people were asked, 'Will you assemble? 39 (They said): Aye, so that we may follow the wizards if they are the winners. 40 When the magicians came forth (for the encounter) they said to Pharaoh: "Is there a reward for us if we triumph?" 41 He said: Aye, and ye will then surely be of those brought near (to me). 42 Moses said to them: "Throw ye - that which ye are about to throw!" 43 So they cast down their cords and their rods and said: By Firon's power, we shall most surely be victorious. 44 Then Moses cast down his staff and suddenly it swallowed up what they had falsely invented. 45 Then the magicians flung themselves prostrate. 46 saying: "We (now) believe in the Lord of the Universe, 47 and the Lord of Moses and Aaron." 48 Said [Pharaoh]: "Have you come to believe in him ere I have given you permission? Verily, he must be your master who has taught you magic! But in time you shall come to know [my revenge]: most certainly shall I cut off your hands and your feet in great numbers, because of [your] perverseness, and shall most certainly crucify you in great numbers, all together!" 49 They said, "There is no harm. To our Lord we shall return. 50 Lo! we ardently hope that our Lord will forgive us our sins because we are the first of the believers. 51