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 sorcery. Now what do you advise?" 35 They said: Give him and his brother respite and send heralds into the cities 36 "And bring up to thee all (our) sorcerers well-versed." 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 That we might follow the magicians if they are the predominant?" 40 So when the sorcerers arrived, they said to Pharaoh: "Of course - shall we have a (suitable) reward if we win? 41 He said: "Yes, you will then become those near-stationed to me." 42 Moses said to them: "Throw down whatever you wish 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 [But] then Moses threw his staff - and lo! it swallowed up all their deceptions. 45 Then did the sorcerers fall down, prostrate in adoration, 46 saying, "We believe in the Lord of the Universe 47 the Lord of Moses and Aaron.' 48 Said Pharaoh, 'You have believed him before I gave you leave. Why, he is the chief of you, the same that taught you sorcery; now you shall know! I shall assuredly cut off alternately your hands and feet, then I shall crucify you all together.' 49 They answered: "No harm [canst thou do to us]: verily, unto our Sustainer do we turn! 50 Behold, we [but] ardently desire that our Sustainer forgive us our faults in return for our having been foremost among the believers!" 51