Said he to the Council about him, 'Surely this man is a cunning sorcerer 34 who desires to expel you from your land by his sorcery; what do you command?' 35 They said, 'Put him and his brother off a while, and send among the cities musterers, 36 That they may bring to thee every magician knowing. 37 So the sorcerers were assembled at a fixed time on a day appointed. 38 and the people were told: "Will you join the assembly? 39 in order that we shall follow the sorcerers if they are the victors' 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 [And] Moses said unto them: "Throw whatever you are going to throw!" 43 So they threw their ropes and their staffs and said, "By the might of Pharaoh, indeed it is we who are predominant." 44 Then Musa cast down his staff, and lo! it swallowed up that which they had devised. 45 The magicians fell down prostrate, 46 Crying: We believe in the Lord of the Worlds, 47 the Lord of Moses and Aaron' 48 Said he: You believe in him before I give you permission; most surely he is the chief of you who taught you the magic, so you shall know: certainly I will cut off your hands and your feet on opposite sides, and certainly I will crucify you all. 49 They said: no harm! verily unto our Lord we are to return. 50 Indeed, we aspire that our Lord will forgive us our sins because we were the first of the believers." 51