The Pharaoh said to the chiefs around him: "He is certainly a clever magician. 34 Who wants to drive you out of your land by his sorcery. Now what do you advise?" 35 They said: "Keep him and his brother in suspense (for a while), and dispatch to the Cities heralds to collect- 36 Who shall bring unto thee every knowing wizard. 37 So the magicians were gathered at a set time on a day appointed. 38 And the people were told: "Are ye (now) assembled?- 39 The people said, “Perhaps we may follow the magicians if they are victorious.” 40 When the magicians came, they asked Pharaoh, "Shall we have a reward, if we are the winners?" 41 He said: Yes, and surely you will then be of those who are made near. 42 Moses said to them: "Throw down whatever you wish 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 And the sorcerers fell down prostrate. 46 They said, "We have believed in the Lord of the worlds, 47 the Lord of Moses and Aaron.' 48 Said he: You believe in him before I give you permission; most surely he is the chief of you who taught you the magic, so you shall know: certainly I will cut off your hands and your feet on opposite sides, and certainly I will crucify you all. 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