'This', said he (Pharaoh) to his Council, 'is a cunning sorcerer 34 "His plan is to get you out of your land by his sorcery; then what is it ye counsel?" 35 They answered: "Let him and his brother wait a while, and send unto all cities heralds 36 who shall assemble before thee all sorcerers of great knowledge" 37 So the magicians were gathered at a set time on a day appointed. 38 and the people were asked, "Will you all be there?" 39 so that we might follow [in the footsteps of] the sorcerers if it is they who prevail?" 40 "When the magicians came, they asked the Pharaoh, "Will there be any reward for us if we win?" 41 He said, “Yes, and you will then become close to me.” 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 threw down his staff, and it swallowed up all that they had conjured into being. 45 Then the magicians flung themselves prostrate. 46 They said, 'We believe in the Lord of all Being, 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 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