Said he to the Council about him, 'Surely this man is a cunning sorcerer 34 who wants to drive you out of your land by his magic. Tell us, what do you advise us?" 35 They said: Give him and his brother respite and send heralds into the cities 36 who shall assemble before thee all sorcerers of great knowledge" 37 So the magicians were assembled for the appointment of a well-known day. 38 And it was said to the people: "Are you (too) going to assemble? 39 We may perhaps follow the religion of the magicians if they triumph." 40 When the magicians arrived, they said to the Pharaoh: "Is there a reward for us if we are victorious?" -- 41 He said: yea; and ye shall verily then be of those brought nigh. 42 Musa said to them: Cast what you are going to cast. 43 So they cast their ropes and staffs, saying: 'By Pharaoh's might, we shall be the victors' 44 Then Musa (Moses) threw his stick, and behold, it swallowed up all the falsehoods which they showed! 45 And the wizards were flung prostrate, 46 They said: We believe in the Lord of the worlds: 47 the Lord of Moses and Aaron' 48 Pharaoh said: "You accepted the word of Moses even before I granted you the leave to do so. Surely he is your chief who has taught you magic. Soon shall you come to know. I shall cut off your hands and feet on opposite sides and shall crucify all of you." 49 They said: It is no hurt, for lo! unto our Lord we shall return. 50 We hope that our Lord will forgive us for our sins; we were not believers at first." 51