(Firon) said to the chiefs around him: Most surely this is a skillful magician, 34 He would drive you out of your land through his magic; what then is it ye command? 35 They replied: 'Put him and his brother off for a while, and send heralds to your cities 36 and summon every skillful magician from all the cities." 37 The sorcerers were gathered at the appointed time on a wellknown day, 38 and the people were told, "Will you also gather together, 39 (They said): "We may haply follow the magicians if they are victorious." 40 "When the magicians came, they asked the Pharaoh, "Will there be any reward for us if we win?" 41 "Yes," he replied. "You 'will be among the honoured." 42 [And] Moses said unto them: "Throw whatever you are going to throw!" 43 So they threw their ropes and their staffs and said, "By the might of Pharaoh, indeed it is we who are predominant." 44 [But] then Moses threw his staff - and lo! it swallowed up all their deceptions. 45 so the sorcerers were cast down, prostrating themselves, 46 saying, "We believe in the Lord of the Worlds, 47 The Lord of Moses and Aaron." 48 The Pharaoh said, "You believed without my permission? He seems to be your chief who has taught you magic. But you will soon know (the result of what you have done). I shall certainly cut off your hands and feet on opposite sides and crucify you all together." 49 They said: "We do not care, for we are bound to return to our Lord, 50 We hope our Lord will forgive us, as we are the first of the believers." 51