(Pharaoh) said unto the chiefs about him: Lo! this is verily a knowing wizard, 34 who seeks to expel you from your land by his sorcery. What is your counsel' 35 They said, "Postpone [the matter of] him and his brother and send among the cities gatherers 36 to bring thee every cunning sorcerer. 37 So the magicians were gathered together at the appointed time on the fixed day, 38 and the people were told, "Will you also gather together, 39 Haply we shall follow the sorcerers if it should be they are the victors.' 40 Then, when the sorcerers came, they said to Pharaoh, 'Shall we indeed have a wage, if we should be the victors?' 41 He said: Yes, and surely you will then be of those who are made near. 42 Moses said to them, "Throw whatever you will throw." 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 And down fell the sorcerers, prostrating themselves in adoration, 46 saying: 'We believe in the Lord of the Worlds, 47 The Lord of Musa and Harun. 48 Pharaoh said, "Have you come to believe in him, before I have given you permission? He is surely your master who has taught you magic. But you shall see. I will cut off your hands and feet on alternate sides and crucify you all." 49 They said, "It does not matter. We shall be returning to our Lord. 50 We hope our Lord will forgive us, as we are the first of the believers." 51