(Firon) said to the chiefs around him: Most surely this is a skillful magician, 34 Who would drive you out of your land by his magic. Now what counsel ye? 35 They said: Give him and his brother respite and send heralds into the cities 36 and summon every skillful magician from all the cities." 37 And so the sorcerers were assembled at a set time on a certain day, 38 And it was said unto the people: are ye going to assemble. 39 "That we may follow the sorcerers (in religion) if they win?" 40 So when the sorcerers arrived, they said to Fir'aun (Pharaoh): "Will there surely be a reward for us if we are the winners?" 41 He said, 'Yes indeed; and you shall then be among the near-stationed.' 42 Musa said to them: Cast what you are going to cast. 43 So they cast down their ropes and staffs, and said, "By Pharaoh's honour, we shall surely win." 44 Then Moses cast his staff and lo, it forthwith swallowed up their lying invention; 45 so the sorcerers were cast down, bowing themselves. 46 [and] exclaimed: "We have come to believe in the Sustainer of all the worlds, 47 and the Lord of Moses and Aaron." 48 [Pharaoh] said, "You believed Moses before I gave you permission. Indeed, he is your leader who has taught you magic, but you are going to know. I will surely cut off your hands and your feet on opposite sides, and I will surely crucify you all." 49 They said, "It does not matter. We shall be returning to our Lord. 50 We are eager that Our Lord should forgive us our offenses, for we are the first of the believers' 51