Said he to the Council about him, 'Surely this man is a cunning sorcerer 34 who desires to expel you from your land by his sorcery; what do you command?' 35 They said: "Detain him and his brother for a while and send forth heralds to the cities 36 Who will bring you every learned, skilled magician." 37 The sorcerers were gathered at the appointed time on a wellknown day, 38 And it was said unto the people: Are ye (also) gathering? 39 (They said): Aye, so that we may follow the wizards if they are the winners. 40 And when the wizards came they said unto Pharaoh: Will there surely be a reward for us if we are the winners? 41 Answered he: "Yea - and verily, in that case you shall be among those who are near unto me. 42 Moses said to them, 'Cast you down what you will cast.' 43 So they cast down their cords and their rods and said: By Firon's power, we shall most surely be victorious. 44 Then Moses threw down his staff, and lo, it swallowed up their conjurations. 45 And the wizards were flung prostrate, 46 Saying: "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, 'There is no harm; surely unto our Lord we are turning. 50 and we surely expect that Our Lord will forgive us our sins for we are the first ones to believe." 51