Said [pharaoh] unto the great ones around him: "Verily, this is indeed a sorcerer of great knowledge 34 Who wants to drive you out of your land by his sorcery. Now what do you advise?" 35 They answered: "Let him and his brother wait a while, and send unto all cities heralds 36 "To bring up to you every well-versed sorcerer." 37 So the magicians were assembled for the appointment of a well-known day. 38 and the people were told, "Will you also gather together, 39 so that we may follow the magicians if they become victorious? 40 Then when the magicians came, they said unto Fir'awn: will there surely be a big hire for us if we are the winners? 41 He said: "Yes, and you shall then verily be of those brought near (to myself)." 42 Moses said to the magicians, "Throw down whatever you are going to throw." 43 So they cast down their cords and their rods and said: By Firon's power, we shall most surely be victorious. 44 Then Moses threw his staff and lo! it swallowed that which they did falsely show. 45 And down fell the sorcerers, prostrating themselves in adoration, 46 saying, "We believe 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 answered: "No harm [canst thou do to us]: verily, unto our Sustainer do we turn! 50 Indeed, we aspire that our Lord will forgive us our sins because we were the first of the believers." 51