(Firon) said to the chiefs around him: Most surely this is a skillful magician, 34 who wants to drive you out of your land by his magic. Tell us, what do you advise us?" 35 They said: "Put him and his brother off awhile, and send summoners to the cities to gather 36 to mobilise all skilled magicians." 37 So the magicians were gathered together at the appointed time on the fixed day, 38 and the people were asked: Are you all present, 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 indeed; and you shall then be among the near-stationed.' 42 Moses said to them, 'Cast you down what you will cast.' 43 So they threw down their ropes and their staves and exclaimed, “By the honour of Firaun, indeed victory is ours!” 44 Then Moses threw down his staff, and it swallowed up all that they had conjured into being. 45 The magicians fell down prostrate, 46 saying, "We believe in the Lord of the Universe 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: no harm! verily unto our Lord we are to return. 50 "Only, our desire is that our Lord will forgive us our faults, that we may become foremost among the believers!" 51