The Pharaoh said to the chiefs around him: "He is certainly a clever magician. 34 who wants to drive you out of your land by his magic. Tell us, what do you advise us?" 35 They said, "Hold him and his brother off for a while 36 to bring thee every cunning sorcerer. 37 So the magicians were assembled at a set time on a day made known. 38 And it was said to the people: Will you gather together? 39 We may perhaps follow the religion of the magicians if they triumph." 40 Then, when the sorcerers came, they said to Pharaoh, 'Shall we indeed have a wage, if we should be the victors?' 41 He said: "Yes, you will then become those near-stationed to me." 42 Musa said unto them: cast whatsoever ye have to cast. 43 So they threw down their ropes and their staves and exclaimed, “By the honour of Firaun, indeed victory is ours!” 44 [But] then Moses threw his staff - and lo! it swallowed up all their deceptions. 45 And the magicians were thrown down prostrate; 46 saying, "We believe in the Lord of the Universe 47 The Lord of Moses and Aaron." 48 Said (Pharaoh): "Believe ye in Him before I give you permission? surely he is your leader, who has taught you sorcery! but soon shall ye know! Be sure I will cut off your hands and your feet on opposite sides, and I will cause you all to die on the cross!" 49 They said: "We do not care, for we are bound to return to our Lord, 50 Indeed, we aspire that our Lord will forgive us our sins because we were the first of the believers." 51