'This', said he (Pharaoh) to his Council, 'is a cunning sorcerer 34 Who wants to drive you out of your land by his sorcery. Now what do you advise?" 35 They said, "Let him and his brother wait a while, and send heralds into the cities, 36 “To bring to you every expert great magician.” 37 So the magicians were assembled at a stated time and place on an appointed day. 38 and the people were asked: 'Will you gather 39 The people said, “Perhaps we may follow the magicians if they are victorious.” 40 When the magicians came, they asked Pharaoh, "Shall we have a reward, if we are the winners?" 41 He replied, "You will then be my closest associates". 42 Moses said to them, "Throw whatever you will throw." 43 So they threw their ropes and their rods, and said: "By the might of Pharaoh, it is we who will certainly win!" 44 Then Moses threw down his staff, and lo, it swallowed up their conjurations. 45 The magicians therefore fell down prostrate. 46 Saying: "We believe in the Lord of the Worlds, 47 the Sustainer 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: "There will be no harm. We shall return to our Lord. 50 "Only, our desire is that our Lord will forgive us our faults, that we may become foremost among the believers!" 51