Pharaoh said to the nobles around him: "Surely this man is a skilled magician 34 He wants to expel you from your land through his magic. What is your opinion?" 35 They said, 'Put him and his brother off a while, and send among the cities musterers, 36 to bring thee every cunning sorcerer. 37 So the magicians were gathered at a set time on a day appointed. 38 And it was said to the people, "Will you congregate 39 in order that we shall follow the sorcerers if they are the victors' 40 Then when the magicians came, they said unto Fir'awn: will there surely be a big hire for us if we are the winners? 41 He said: Aye, and ye will then surely be of those brought near (to me). 42 Moses said to the magicians, "Throw down whatever you are going 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 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 Musa (Moses) and Harun (Aaron)." 48 (Pharaoh) said: Ye put your faith in him before I give you leave. Lo! he doubtless is your chief who taught you magic! But verily ye shall come to know. Verily I will cut off your hands and your feet alternately, and verily I will crucify you every one. 49 They said, "No harm. Indeed, to our Lord we will return. 50 We certainly hope our Lord will forgive our sins as we are the first to believe." 51