'This', said he (Pharaoh) to his Council, 'is a cunning sorcerer 34 who wants to drive you out of your land by his sorcery. What, then, do you advise?" 35 They answered: "Let him and his brother wait a while, and send unto all cities heralds 36 to mobilise all skilled magicians." 37 So the magicians were brought together on a particular day at a set time 38 and the people were asked, "Will you all be there?" 39 The people said, “Perhaps we may follow the magicians if they are victorious.” 40 So when the magicians came, they said to Firaun, “Will we get some reward if we are victorious?” 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 sticks, and said: "By the might of Fir'aun (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 sorcerers fell down prostrate. 46 saying, "We believe in the Lord of the Worlds, 47 The Lord of Musa and Harun. 48 Said [Pharaoh]: "Have you come to believe in him ere I have given you permission? Verily, he must be your master who has taught you magic! But in time you shall come to know [my revenge]: most certainly shall I cut off your hands and your feet in great numbers, because of [your] perverseness, and shall most certainly crucify you in great numbers, all together!" 49 They said, "It does not matter. We shall be returning to our Lord. 50 We certainly hope our Lord will forgive our sins as we are the first to believe." 51