Said he to the Council about him, 'Surely this man is a cunning sorcerer 34 who wants to drive you out of your land by his sorcery. What, then, do you advise?" 35 They said: "Put him off and his brother (for a while), and send callers to the cities 36 and summon every skillful magician from all the cities." 37 So the magicians were assembled at a stated time and place on an appointed day. 38 And it was said unto the people: Are ye (also) gathering? 39 Haply we shall follow the sorcerers if it should be they are the victors.' 40 When the magicians came, they asked Pharaoh, "Shall we have a reward, if we are the winners?" 41 He said: "Yes, and you shall then verily be of those brought near (to myself)." 42 Moses said unto them: Throw what ye are going to throw! 43 So they cast their ropes and their staffs, and said, 'By the might of Pharaoh we shall be the victors.' 44 Then Moses threw down his staff, and lo, it swallowed up their conjurations. 45 so the sorcerers were cast down, prostrating themselves, 46 They said, "We have believed in the Lord of the worlds, 47 "The Lord of Moses and Aaron." 48 Fir'awn said: ye believed in him ere I gave you leave. Verily he is your chief who hath taught you magic, so ye shall surely come to know. Surely I shall cut off your hands and feet on opposite sides and surely I shall crucify you all. 49 They said: "There will be no harm. We shall return to our Lord. 50 Behold, we [but] ardently desire that our Sustainer forgive us our faults in return for our having been foremost among the believers!" 51