[Pharaoh] said to the eminent ones around him, "Indeed, this is a learned magician. 34 He wants to drive you out of your land by his magic, so what do you advise?" 35 They answered: "Let him and his brother wait a while, and send unto all cities heralds 36 to mobilise all skilled magicians." 37 So the sorcerers were gathered on the appointed day 38 And the people were told: "Are ye (now) assembled?- 39 (They said): Aye, so that we may follow the wizards if they are the winners. 40 Then, when the sorcerers came, they said to Pharaoh, 'Shall we indeed have a wage, if we should be the victors?' 41 Answered he: "Yea - and verily, in that case you shall be among those who are near unto me. 42 Moses said to the magicians, "Throw down whatever you are going to throw." 43 So they cast their ropes and their staffs, and said, 'By the might of Pharaoh we shall be the victors.' 44 Then Moses threw down his staff, and it swallowed up all that they had conjured into being. 45 And down fell the sorcerers, prostrating themselves in adoration, 46 They said: we believe in the Lord of the worlds. 47 the Sustainer of Moses and Aaron!" 48 Said he: You believe in him before I give you permission; most surely he is the chief of you who taught you the magic, so you shall know: certainly I will cut off your hands and your feet on opposite sides, and certainly I will crucify you all. 49 They said: It is no hurt, for lo! unto our Lord we shall return. 50 We hope that our Lord will forgive us for our sins; we were not believers at first." 51