Pharaoh said to the chiefs around him, "Surely this man is a skilful sorcerer. 34 Who desires to turn you out of your land with his magic; what is it then that you advise? 35 They said, "Hold him and his brother off for a while 36 who shall assemble before thee all sorcerers of great knowledge" 37 So all the magicians gathered together at the appointed time 38 And it was said to the people: Will you gather together? 39 so that we might follow [in the footsteps of] the sorcerers if it is they who prevail?" 40 "When the magicians came, they asked the Pharaoh, "Will there be any reward for us if we win?" 41 He said, “Yes, and you will then become close to me.” 42 Moses said to them, 'Cast you down what you will cast.' 43 So they cast down their ropes and staffs, and said, "By Pharaoh's honour, we shall surely win." 44 Then Moses threw down his staff, and it swallowed up all that they had conjured into being. 45 And the sorcerers fell down prostrate. 46 [and] exclaimed: "We have come to believe in the Sustainer of all the worlds, 47 the Lord of Moses and Aaron' 48 Said Pharaoh, 'You have believed him before I gave you leave. Why, he is the chief of you, the same that taught you sorcery; now you shall know! I shall assuredly cut off alternately your hands and feet, then I shall crucify you all together.' 49 They said: "We do not care, for we are bound to return to our Lord, 50 We hope that our Lord will forgive us for our sins; we were not believers at first." 51