The Pharaoh said to the people around him, "He is certainly a skillful magician. 34 Who would drive you out of your land by his magic. Now what counsel ye? 35 They said, “Stop him and his brother, and send gatherers to the cities.” 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 the people were told: "Will you join the assembly? 39 Belike we may follow the magicians if they are the winners? 40 Then when the magicians came, they said unto Fir'awn: will there surely be a big hire for us if we are the winners? 41 'Yes, indeed' he answered, 'and you shall become among those who are near stationed' 42 Moses said to them, "Throw whatever you will throw." 43 Then they cast their cords and their staves, and said: by the might of Fir'awn, verily we! we shall be the winners. 44 Then Moses cast down his staff and it swallowed up their lying invention, 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 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. Indeed, to our Lord we will return. 50 We hope our Lord will forgive us, as we are the first of the believers." 51