'This', said he (Pharaoh) to his Council, 'is a cunning sorcerer 34 Who wants to drive you out of your land by his sorcery. Now what do you advise?" 35 They said, 'Put him and his brother off a while, and send among the cities musterers, 36 “To bring to you every expert great magician.” 37 So the sorcerers were gathered on the appointed day 38 and the people were told, "Will you also gather together, 39 Haply we may follow the magicians, if they are the vanquishers. 40 Then, when the sorcerers came to Pharaoh, they said: 'Shall we receive a wage if we win' 41 He replied, "You will then be my closest associates". 42 Moses said unto them: Throw what ye are going to throw! 43 So they cast their ropes and staffs, saying: 'By Pharaoh's might, 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 saying, "We believe in the Lord of the Universe 47 The Lord of Musa and Haroun. 48 Pharaoh said: "You accepted the word of Moses even before I granted you the leave to do so. Surely he is your chief who has taught you magic. Soon shall you come to know. I shall cut off your hands and feet on opposite sides and shall crucify all of you." 49 They said: no harm! verily unto our Lord we are to return. 50 Verily we long that our Lord shall forgive us our faults because we have been the first of the believers 51