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, (him) and his brother, and send into the cities summoners 36 and summon every skillful magician from all the cities." 37 So the magicians were assembled at a set time on a day made known. 38 and the people were told: "Will you join the assembly? 39 in order that we shall follow the sorcerers if they are the victors' 40 When the magicians came, they asked Pharaoh, "Shall we have a reward, if we are the winners?" 41 'Yes, indeed' he answered, 'and you shall become among those who are near stationed' 42 (Moses) asked the magicians, "Cast down what you want to". 43 So they cast their ropes and their staffs, and said, 'By the might of Pharaoh we shall be the victors.' 44 Then Moses cast his staff and lo, it forthwith swallowed up their lying invention; 45 so the sorcerers were cast down, bowing themselves. 46 They said: we believe in the Lord of the worlds. 47 "The Lord of Moses and Aaron." 48 Said (Pharaoh): "Believe ye in Him before I give you permission? surely he is your leader, who has taught you sorcery! but soon shall ye know! Be sure I will cut off your hands and your feet on opposite sides, and I will cause you all to die on the cross!" 49 They said: no harm! verily unto our Lord we are to return. 50 Verily we long that our Lord shall forgive us our faults because we have been the first of the believers 51