[Pharaoh] said to the eminent ones around him, "Indeed, this is a learned magician. 34 who wants to drive you out of your land by his sorcery. What, then, do you advise?" 35 They said, "Postpone [the matter of] him and his brother and send among the cities gatherers 36 who shall bring to you every skilful sorcerer." 37 The sorcerers were gathered at the appointed time on a wellknown day, 38 And it was said to the people: Will you gather together? 39 Belike we may follow the magicians if they are the winners? 40 And when the magicians came, they said to Firon: Shall we get a reward if we are the vanquishers? 41 He replied, "You will then be my closest associates". 42 Moses said to them: "Cast what you have to cast." 43 So they cast down their ropes and staffs saying, "By the honor of the Pharaoh we shall certainly become the winners". 44 Then Moses cast down his staff and suddenly it swallowed up what they had falsely invented. 45 so the sorcerers were cast down, prostrating themselves, 46 [and] exclaimed: "We have come to believe in the Sustainer of all the worlds, 47 and the Lord of Moses and Aaron." 48 Said (the Pharaoh): "You have come to believe in him before I gave you leave. He is surely your chief, who taught you magic. You will soon come to know: I will have your hands and feet cut off on alternate sides, and have every one of you crucified." 49 They said, "No harm. Indeed, to our Lord we will return. 50 Lo! we ardently hope that our Lord will forgive us our sins because we are the first of the believers. 51