Said he to the Council about him, 'Surely this man is a cunning sorcerer 34 He wants to expel you from your land through his magic. What is your opinion?" 35 They said, "Hold him and his brother off for a while 36 to bring thee every cunning sorcerer. 37 So the magicians were assembled at a stated time and place on an appointed day. 38 and the people were told: "Will you join the assembly? 39 in order that we shall follow the sorcerers if they are the victors' 40 When the magicians came, they asked Pharaoh, "Shall we have a reward, if we are the winners?" 41 Answered he: "Yea - and verily, in that case you shall be among those who are near unto me. 42 Moses said to them, "Throw whatever you will throw." 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 the sorcerers fell down prostrate. 46 saying: "We (now) believe in the Lord of the Universe, 47 the Lord of Moses and Aaron' 48 He (Pharaoh) said: 'You have believed him before I have given you permission. He is the chief of you who has taught you sorcery. But you shall know. I will surely cut off on opposite sides a hand and a foot, and crucify you all.' 49 They answered: "No harm [canst thou do to us]: verily, unto our Sustainer do we turn! 50 Verily we long that our Lord shall forgive us our faults because we have been the first of the believers 51