Pharaoh said to the nobles around him: "Surely this man is a skilled magician 34 who desires to expel you from your land by his sorcery; what do you command?' 35 They said, 'Put him and his brother off a while, and send among the cities musterers, 36 "To bring up to you every well-versed sorcerer." 37 So the wizards were gathered together at a set time on a day appointed. 38 And it was said to the people, "Will you congregate 39 (They said): "We may haply follow the magicians if they are victorious." 40 Now when the sorcerers came, they said unto Pharaoh: "Verily, we ought to have a great reward if it is we who prevail. 41 He said: "Yea, (and more),- for ye shall in that case be (raised to posts) nearest (to my person)." 42 Moses said to them: "Throw ye - that which ye are about to throw!" 43 So they cast down their cords and their rods and said: By Firon's power, we shall most surely be victorious. 44 Then Moses cast down his staff and it swallowed up their lying invention, 45 Thereupon the magicians fell down in prostration, 46 saying, "We believe in the Lord of the Worlds, 47 the Lord of Moses and Aaron' 48 The Pharaoh said, "You believed without my permission? He seems to be your chief who has taught you magic. But you will soon know (the result of what you have done). I shall certainly cut off your hands and feet on opposite sides and crucify you all together." 49 They said, "It does not matter. We shall be returning to our Lord. 50 We certainly hope our Lord will forgive our sins as we are the first to believe." 51