'This', said he (Pharaoh) to his Council, 'is a cunning sorcerer 34 who desires to expel you from your land by his sorcery; what do you command?' 35 They said, "Let him and his brother wait a while, and send heralds into the cities, 36 That they may bring to thee every magician knowing. 37 So the sorcerers were gathered on the appointed day 38 and the people were told, "Will you also gather together, 39 We may perhaps follow the religion of the magicians if they triumph." 40 Then, when the sorcerers came to Pharaoh, they said: 'Shall we receive a wage if we win' 41 Answered he: "Yea - and verily, in that case you shall be among those who are near unto me. 42 Musa (Moses) said to them: "Throw what you 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 Then Moses threw his staff and lo! it swallowed that which they did falsely show. 45 The magicians fell down in adoration 46 They said, 'We believe in the Lord of all Being, 47 the Sustainer of Moses and Aaron!" 48 Said (Pharaoh): "Believe ye in Him before I give you permission? surely he is your leader, who has taught you sorcery! but soon shall ye know! Be sure I will cut off your hands and your feet on opposite sides, and I will cause you all to die on the cross!" 49 They said, "It does not matter. We shall be returning to our Lord. 50 Lo! we ardently hope that our Lord will forgive us our sins because we are the first of the believers. 51