'This', said he (Pharaoh) to his Council, 'is a cunning sorcerer 34 "He wants to drive you out of your land by his sorcery, then what is it your counsel, and what do you command?" 35 They said: Put him off, (him) and his brother, and send into the cities summoners 36 to bring thee every cunning sorcerer. 37 The sorcerers were gathered at the appointed time on a wellknown day, 38 and the people were told: "Will you join the assembly? 39 The people said, “Perhaps we may follow the magicians if they are victorious.” 40 And when the magicians arrived, they said to Pharaoh, "Is there indeed for us a reward if we are the predominant?" 41 He said: Yes, and surely you will then be of those who are made near. 42 Moses said to them: "Throw ye - that which ye are about to throw!" 43 Thereupon they threw down their ropes and their rods, and said: "By the glory of Pharaoh, we shall prevail." 44 Then Moses threw his staff and lo! it swallowed that which they did falsely show. 45 The magicians therefore fell down prostrate. 46 They said, "We have believed in the Lord of the worlds, 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 said: "No matter! for us, we shall but return to our Lord! 50 Lo! we ardently hope that our Lord will forgive us our sins because we are the first of the believers. 51