Said he to the Council about him, 'Surely this man is a cunning sorcerer 34 Who desires to turn you out of your land with his magic; what is it then that you advise? 35 They said, "Postpone [the matter of] him and his brother and send among the cities gatherers 36 That they may bring to thee every magician knowing. 37 And so the sorcerers were assembled at a set time on a certain day, 38 And it was said unto the people: Are ye (also) gathering? 39 Haply we may follow the magicians, if they are the vanquishers. 40 So when the sorcerers arrived, they said to Fir'aun (Pharaoh): "Will there surely be a reward for us if we are the winners?" 41 He said, “Yes, and you will then become close to me.” 42 Moses said to them, 'Cast you down what you will cast.' 43 So they cast their ropes and rods, and said: "By the glory of Pharaoh, we shall be victorious." 44 Then Moses cast down his staff and suddenly it swallowed up what they had falsely invented. 45 Then did the sorcerers fall down, prostrate in adoration, 46 They said: we believe in the Lord of the worlds. 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, “No harm (in it), we will return to our Lord.” 50 Verily we long that our Lord shall forgive us our faults because we have been the first of the believers 51