(Firon) said to the chiefs around him: Most surely this is a skillful magician, 34 Who desires to turn you out of your land with his magic; what is it then that you advise? 35 They said: "Detain him and his brother for a while and send forth heralds to the cities 36 Who shall bring unto thee every knowing wizard. 37 The sorcerers were gathered at the appointed time on a wellknown day, 38 And it was said to the people: "Are you (too) going to assemble? 39 Belike we may follow the magicians if they are the winners? 40 Then, when the sorcerers came, they said to Pharaoh, 'Shall we indeed have a wage, if we should be the victors?' 41 He said: Aye, and ye will then surely be of those brought near (to me). 42 Musa said to them: Cast what you are going to 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 Moses cast down his staff and suddenly it swallowed up what they had falsely invented. 45 Thereupon the magicians fell down in prostration, 46 Saying: "We believe in the Lord of the Worlds, 47 "The Lord of Moses and Aaron." 48 He (Pharaoh) said: 'You have believed him before I have given you permission. He is the chief of you who has taught you sorcery. But you shall know. I will surely cut off on opposite sides a hand and a foot, and crucify you all.' 49 They said: No harm; surely to our Lord we go back; 50 We hope our Lord will forgive us, as we are the first of the believers." 51