'This', said he (Pharaoh) to his Council, '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 to bring every knowledgeable sorcerer' 37 So the sorcerers were got together for the appointment of a day well-known, 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 And when the magicians came, they said to Firon: Shall we get a reward if we are the vanquishers? 41 He said: yea; and ye shall verily then be of those brought nigh. 42 Moses said to them: "Throw down whatever you wish to throw." 43 So they threw their ropes and their rods, and said: "By the might of Pharaoh, it is we who will certainly win!" 44 Then Moses threw his staff and lo! it swallowed that which they did falsely show. 45 And the magicians were thrown down prostrate; 46 They said, 'We believe in the Lord of all Being, 47 the Lord of Moses and Aaron.' 48 Said (the Pharaoh): "You have come to believe in him before I gave you leave. He is surely your chief, who taught you magic. You will soon come to know: I will have your hands and feet cut off on alternate sides, and have every one of you crucified." 49 'There is no harm' they replied, 'for surely to our Lord we are turning. 50 We certainly hope our Lord will forgive our sins as we are the first to believe." 51