(Firon) said to the chiefs around him: Most surely this is a skillful magician, 34 Who would drive you out of your land by his magic. Now what counsel ye? 35 They said: Give him and his brother respite and send heralds into the cities 36 and summon every skillful magician from all the cities." 37 So the sorcerers were assembled at a fixed time on a day appointed. 38 and the people were told, "Will you also gather together, 39 "That we may follow the sorcerers (in religion) if they win?" 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: yea; and ye shall verily then be of those brought nigh. 42 Moses said to them: "Throw down whatever you wish to throw." 43 So they cast their ropes and rods, and said: "By the glory of Pharaoh, we shall be victorious." 44 Then Moses threw his staff, and at once it devoured what they falsified. 45 Then the magicians flung themselves prostrate. 46 saying, "We believe in the Lord of the Universe 47 the Lord of Moses and Aaron.' 48 Said (the Pharaoh): "You have come to believe in him before I gave you leave. He is surely your chief, who taught you magic. You will soon come to know: I will have your hands and feet cut off on alternate sides, and have every one of you crucified." 49 They said: No harm; surely to our Lord we go back; 50 Verily we long that our Lord shall forgive us our faults because we have been the first of the believers 51