(Pharaoh) said to the Chiefs around him: "This is indeed a sorcerer well-versed: 34 "His plan is to get you out of your land by his sorcery; then what is it ye counsel?" 35 They said: "Detain him and his brother for a while and send forth heralds to the cities 36 and summon every skillful magician from all the cities." 37 And so the sorcerers were assembled at a set time on a certain day, 38 and the people were asked, "Will you all be there?" 39 Haply we may follow the magicians, if they are the vanquishers. 40 When the magicians came, they asked Pharaoh, "Shall we have a reward, if we are the winners?" 41 He said: "Yes, and you shall then verily be of those brought near (to myself)." 42 Moses said to the magicians, "Throw down whatever you are going to throw." 43 So they cast down their ropes and staffs, and said, "By Pharaoh's honour, we shall surely win." 44 Then Moses threw down his staff, and lo, it swallowed up their conjurations. 45 so the sorcerers were cast down, prostrating themselves, 46 They said: We believe in the Lord of the worlds: 47 The Lord of Moses and Aaron." 48 Pharaoh said, "Have you come to believe in him, before I have given you permission? He is surely your master who has taught you magic. But you shall see. I will cut off your hands and feet on alternate sides and crucify you all." 49 They said, "No harm. Indeed, to our Lord we will return. 50 We are eager that our Lord should forgive us our offences, for that we are the first of the believers.' 51