(Firon) said to the chiefs around him: Most surely this is a skillful magician, 34 who desires to expel you from your land by his sorcery; what do you command?' 35 They said, "Hold him and his brother off for a while 36 "To bring up to you every well-versed sorcerer." 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 The people said, “Perhaps we may follow the magicians if they are victorious.” 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: "Yea, (and more),- for ye shall in that case be (raised to posts) nearest (to my person)." 42 Moses said to them, "Throw whatever you will throw." 43 So they cast down their ropes and staffs, and said, "By Pharaoh's honour, we shall surely win." 44 Then Moses threw down his staff, and lo, it swallowed up their conjurations. 45 The magicians therefore fell down prostrate. 46 They said, "We have believed in the Lord of the worlds, 47 the Lord of Moses and Aaron." 48 [Pharaoh] said, "You believed Moses before I gave you permission. Indeed, he is your leader who has taught you magic, but you are going to know. I will surely cut off your hands and your feet on opposite sides, and I will surely crucify you all." 49 They said: "No matter! for us, we shall but return to our Lord! 50 We certainly hope our Lord will forgive our sins as we are the first to believe." 51