(Pharaoh) said to the Chiefs around him: "This is indeed a sorcerer well-versed: 34 who wants to drive you out of your land by his sorcery. What, then, do you advise?" 35 They said: Give him and his brother respite and send heralds into the cities 36 Who will bring you every learned, skilled magician." 37 And so the sorcerers were assembled at a set time on a certain day, 38 and the people were told, "Will you also gather together, 39 so that we might follow [in the footsteps of] the sorcerers if it is they who prevail?" 40 "When the magicians came, they asked the Pharaoh, "Will there be any reward for us if we win?" 41 He said, “Yes, and you will then become close to me.” 42 Moses said to them: "Throw ye - that which ye are about to throw!" 43 So they cast their ropes and rods, and said: "By the glory of Pharaoh, we shall be victorious." 44 Then Moses threw down his staff, and it swallowed up all that they had conjured into being. 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 Musa and Haroun. 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: no harm! verily unto our Lord we are to return. 50 and we surely expect that Our Lord will forgive us our sins for we are the first ones to believe." 51