Said [pharaoh] unto the great ones around him: "Verily, this is indeed a sorcerer of great knowledge 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 every knowledgeable sorcerer' 37 The sorcerers were gathered at the appointed time on a wellknown day, 38 and the people were asked, "Will you all be there?" 39 so that we might follow [in the footsteps of] the sorcerers if it is they who prevail?" 40 And when the magicians came, they said to Firon: Shall we get a reward if we are the vanquishers? 41 He said: yea; and ye shall verily then be of those brought nigh. 42 Moses said unto them: Throw what ye are going to throw! 43 Thereupon they threw down their ropes and their rods, and said: "By the glory of Pharaoh, we shall prevail." 44 Thereafter, Moses threw down his rod and behold, it went about swallowing up all the false devices they had contrived. 45 The magicians fell down prostrate, 46 Crying: We believe in the Lord of the Worlds, 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 said: "We do not care, for we are bound to return to our Lord, 50 Surely we hope that our Lord will forgive us our wrongs because we are the first of the believers. 51