(Firon) said to the chiefs around him: Most surely this is a skillful magician, 34 Who wants to drive you out of your land by his sorcery. Now what do you advise?" 35 They said, "Postpone [the matter of] him and his brother and send among the cities gatherers 36 who shall bring to you every skilful sorcerer." 37 The sorcerers were gathered at the appointed time on a wellknown day, 38 And the people were told: "Are ye (now) assembled?- 39 so that we might follow [in the footsteps of] the sorcerers if it is they who prevail?" 40 Then, when the sorcerers came, they said to Pharaoh, 'Shall we indeed have a wage, if we should be the victors?' 41 'Yes, indeed' he answered, 'and you shall become among those who are near stationed' 42 Moses said to the magicians, "Throw down whatever you are going 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 cast down his staff and it swallowed up their lying invention, 45 Then did the sorcerers fall down, prostrate in adoration, 46 saying, "We believe in the Lord of the Worlds, 47 The Lord of Moses and Aaron." 48 He (Pharaoh) said: 'You have believed him before I have given you permission. He is the chief of you who has taught you sorcery. But you shall know. I will surely cut off on opposite sides a hand and a foot, and crucify you all.' 49 They said, "There is no harm. To our Lord we shall return. 50 We are eager that our Lord should forgive us our offences, for that we are the first of the believers.' 51