(Firon) said to the chiefs around him: Most surely this is a skillful magician, 34 “He wishes to expel you out of your land by his magic; so what is your advice?” 35 They replied: 'Put him and his brother off for a while, and send heralds to your cities 36 Who will bring you every learned, skilled magician." 37 So the wizards were gathered together at a set time on a day appointed. 38 and the people were told, "Will you also gather together, 39 so that we may follow the magicians, if they be the winners." 40 And when the magicians arrived, they said to Pharaoh, "Is there indeed for us a reward if we are the predominant?" 41 "Yes," he replied. "You 'will be among the honoured." 42 Moses said to them: "Cast what you have to cast." 43 So they threw their ropes and their staffs and said, "By the might of Pharaoh, indeed it is we who are predominant." 44 [But] then Moses threw his staff - and lo! it swallowed up all their deceptions. 45 Thereupon the magicians fell down in prostration, 46 Crying: We believe in the Lord of the Worlds, 47 the Lord of Moses and Aaron' 48 The Pharaoh said, "You believed without my permission? He seems to be your chief who has taught you magic. But you will soon know (the result of what you have done). I shall certainly cut off your hands and feet on opposite sides and crucify you all together." 49 They said: It is no hurt, for lo! unto our Lord we shall return. 50 Surely we hope that our Lord will forgive us our wrongs because we are the first of the believers. 51