Said he to the Council about him, 'Surely this man is a cunning sorcerer 34 Who would drive you out of your land by his magic. Now what counsel ye? 35 They said, 'Put him and his brother off a while, and send among the cities musterers, 36 to bring thee every cunning sorcerer. 37 So the sorcerers were assembled for the appointed time of a fixed day. 38 and the people were told: "Will you join the assembly? 39 so that we may follow the magicians, if they be the winners." 40 When the magicians came forth (for the encounter) they said to Pharaoh: "Is there a reward for us if we triumph?" 41 He said: "Yes, and you shall then verily be of those brought near (to myself)." 42 Moses said to them, 'Cast you down what you will cast.' 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 rod, when, behold, it straightway swallows up all the falsehoods which they fake! 45 And the wizards were flung prostrate, 46 [and] exclaimed: "We have come to believe in the Sustainer of all the worlds, 47 The Lord of Moses and Aaron. 48 Said he: You believe in him before I give you permission; most surely he is the chief of you who taught you the magic, so you shall know: certainly I will cut off your hands and your feet on opposite sides, and certainly I will crucify you all. 49 They said: "No matter! for us, we shall but return to our Lord! 50 and we surely expect that Our Lord will forgive us our sins for we are the first ones to believe." 51