Said he to the Council about him, 'Surely this man is a cunning sorcerer 34 Who would drive you out of your land by his magic. Now what counsel ye? 35 They said, “Stop him and his brother, and send gatherers to the cities.” 36 That they should bring to you every skillful magician. 37 So the magicians were gathered together at the appointed time on the fixed day, 38 and the people were told, "Will you also gather together, 39 "That we may follow the sorcerers [who were on Fir'aun's (Pharaoh) religion of disbelief] if they are the winners." 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: "Yes, and you shall then verily be of those brought near (to myself)." 42 Moses said to them: "Cast what you have to cast." 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 The magicians fell down prostrate, 46 They said, "We have believed in the Lord of the worlds, 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, "It does not matter. We shall be returning to our Lord. 50 Behold, we [but] ardently desire that our Sustainer forgive us our faults in return for our having been foremost among the believers!" 51