[Pharaoh] said to the eminent ones around him, "Indeed, this is a learned magician. 34 "He wants to drive you out of your land by his sorcery, then what is it your counsel, and what do you command?" 35 They said: "Detain him and his brother for a while and send forth heralds to the cities 36 Who will bring you every learned, skilled magician." 37 So the sorcerers were assembled at a fixed time on a day appointed. 38 and the people were asked: 'Will you gather 39 (They said): "We may haply follow the magicians if they are victorious." 40 When the magicians arrived, they said to the Pharaoh: "Is there a reward for us if we are victorious?" -- 41 He said: "Yea, (and more),- for ye shall in that case be (raised to posts) nearest (to my person)." 42 Moses said to them: 'Cast down what you cast' 43 So they cast down their cords and their rods and said: By Firon's power, we shall most surely be victorious. 44 Then Musa cast down his staff, and lo! it swallowed up that which they had devised. 45 And the magicians were thrown down prostrate; 46 They said: We believe in the Lord of the worlds: 47 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: "We do not care, for we are bound to return to our Lord, 50 Indeed, we aspire that our Lord will forgive us our sins because we were the first of the believers." 51