'This', said he (Pharaoh) to his Council, 'is a cunning sorcerer 34 He would drive you out of your land through his magic; what then is it ye command? 35 They said: Give him and his brother respite and send heralds into the cities 36 “To bring to you every expert great magician.” 37 The sorcerers were gathered at the appointed time on a wellknown day, 38 and the people were asked: Are you all present, 39 The people said, “Perhaps we may follow the magicians if they are victorious.” 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: "Yea, (and more),- for ye shall in that case be (raised to posts) nearest (to my person)." 42 Moses said to them: "Throw down whatever you wish to throw." 43 So they cast their ropes and staffs, saying: 'By Pharaoh's might, we shall be the victors' 44 Then Moses threw his staff, and at once it devoured what they falsified. 45 Then the magicians flung themselves prostrate. 46 saying, "We believe in the Lord of the Worlds, 47 the Sustainer of Moses and Aaron!" 48 [Fir'aun (Pharaoh)] said: "You have believed in him before I give you leave. Surely, he indeed is your chief, who has taught you magic! So verily, you shall come to know. Verily, I will cut off your hands and your feet on opposite sides, and I will crucify you all." 49 'There is no harm' they replied, 'for surely to our Lord we are turning. 50 Surely we hope that our Lord will forgive us our wrongs because we are the first of the believers. 51