'This', said he (Pharaoh) to his Council, 'is a cunning sorcerer 34 “He wishes to expel you out of your land by his magic; so what is your advice?” 35 They replied: 'Put him and his brother off for a while, and send heralds to your cities 36 And bring the ablest magicians to you." 37 So the wizards were gathered together at a set time on a day appointed. 38 and the people were told, "Will you also gather together, 39 That we might follow the magicians if they are the predominant?" 40 So when the sorcerers arrived, they said to Pharaoh: "Of course - shall we have a (suitable) reward if we win? 41 He said: yea; and ye shall verily then be of those brought nigh. 42 Moses said to them: "Cast what you have to cast." 43 So they cast down their ropes and staffs saying, "By the honor of the Pharaoh we shall certainly become the winners". 44 Then Moses cast down his staff and it swallowed up their lying invention, 45 Then the magicians flung themselves prostrate. 46 They said, 'We believe in the Lord of all Being, 47 and the Lord of Moses and Aaron." 48 Pharaoh said: "You accepted the word of Moses even before I granted you the leave to do so. Surely he is your chief who has taught you magic. Soon shall you come to know. I shall cut off your hands and feet on opposite sides and shall crucify all of you." 49 They said: "We do not care, for we are bound to return to our Lord, 50 We hope our Lord will forgive us, as we are the first of the believers." 51