Pharaoh said to the nobles around him: "Surely this man is a skilled magician 34 Who desires to turn you out of your land with his magic; what is it then that you advise? 35 They said: Give him and his brother respite and send heralds into the cities 36 to bring every knowledgeable sorcerer' 37 So the magicians were assembled at a set time on a day made known. 38 and the people were asked, "Will you all be there?" 39 We may perhaps follow the religion of the magicians if they triumph." 40 And when the wizards came they said unto Pharaoh: Will there surely be a reward for us if we are the winners? 41 He said, “Yes, and you will then become close to me.” 42 Moses said to them, "Throw whatever you will throw." 43 Then they cast their cords and their staves, and said: by the might of Fir'awn, verily we! we shall be the winners. 44 Then Moses threw his rod, when, behold, it straightway swallows up all the falsehoods which they fake! 45 The magicians therefore fell down prostrate. 46 They said: We believe in the Lord of the worlds: 47 The Lord of Moses and Aaron." 48 Said (the Pharaoh): "You have come to believe in him before I gave you leave. He is surely your chief, who taught you magic. You will soon come to know: I will have your hands and feet cut off on alternate sides, and have every one of you crucified." 49 They said, "No harm. Indeed, to our Lord we will return. 50 and we surely expect that Our Lord will forgive us our sins for we are the first ones to believe." 51