Pharaoh said to the chiefs around him, "Surely this man is a skilful sorcerer. 34 "He wants to drive you out of your land by his sorcery, then what is it your counsel, and what do you command?" 35 They said: "Put him off and his brother (for a while), and send callers to the cities 36 to bring every knowledgeable sorcerer' 37 So the sorcerers were got together for the appointment of a day well-known, 38 And it was said to the people, “Have you (also) gathered?” 39 We may perhaps follow the religion of the magicians if they triumph." 40 "When the magicians came, they asked the Pharaoh, "Will there be any reward for us if we win?" 41 He said: Aye, and ye will then surely be of those brought near (to me). 42 Moses said to them, "Throw whatever you will throw." 43 So they threw their ropes and their staffs and said, "By the might of Pharaoh, indeed it is we who are predominant." 44 Then Moses threw down his staff, and it swallowed up all that they had conjured into being. 45 Thereupon the magicians fell down in prostration, 46 They said, "We have believed 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. To our Lord we shall return. 50 Lo! we ardently hope that our Lord will forgive us our sins because we are the first of the believers. 51