Pharaoh said to the chiefs around him, "Surely this man is a skilful sorcerer. 34 who wants to drive you out of your land by his sorcery. What, then, do you advise?" 35 They said, "Hold him and his brother off for a while 36 who shall assemble before thee all sorcerers of great knowledge" 37 So all the magicians gathered together at the appointed time 38 And it was said to the people: Will you gather together? 39 The people said, “Perhaps we may follow the magicians if they are victorious.” 40 Then, when the sorcerers came to Pharaoh, they said: 'Shall we receive a wage if we win' 41 He replied, "You will then be my closest associates". 42 Moses said to them: 'Cast down what you cast' 43 So they threw down their ropes and their staves and exclaimed, “By the honour of Firaun, indeed victory is ours!” 44 Then Moses threw down his staff, and lo, it swallowed up their conjurations. 45 And down fell the sorcerers, prostrating themselves in adoration, 46 They said, 'We believe in the Lord of all Being, 47 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: It is no hurt, for lo! unto our Lord we shall return. 50 "Only, our desire is that our Lord will forgive us our faults, that we may become foremost among the believers!" 51