The Pharaoh said to the people around him, "He is certainly a skillful magician. 34 who wants to drive you out of your land by his sorcery. What, then, do you advise?" 35 They answered: "Let him and his brother wait a while, and send unto all cities heralds 36 and summon every skillful magician from all the cities." 37 So the magicians were assembled at a stated time and place on an appointed day. 38 The people were asked, 'Will you assemble? 39 "That we may follow the sorcerers (in religion) if they win?" 40 When the magicians came forth (for the encounter) they said to Pharaoh: "Is there a reward for us if we triumph?" 41 Answered he: "Yea - and verily, in that case you shall be among those who are near unto me. 42 Moses said to them, 'Cast you down what you will cast.' 43 Then they threw down their cords and their staves and said: By Pharaoh's might, lo! we verily are the winners. 44 Then Moses threw his staff and lo! it swallowed that which they did falsely show. 45 And down fell the sorcerers, prostrating themselves in adoration, 46 Saying: "We believe in the Lord of the Worlds, 47 and the Lord of Moses and Aaron." 48 Said [Pharaoh]: "Have you come to believe in him ere I have given you permission? Verily, he must be your master who has taught you magic! But in time you shall come to know [my revenge]: most certainly shall I cut off your hands and your feet in great numbers, because of [your] perverseness, and shall most certainly crucify you in great numbers, all together!" 49 They said, "There is no harm. To our Lord we shall return. 50 “We hope that our Lord will forgive us our mistakes, as we are the first to believe.” 51