He threw down his staff, and it was clearly a serpent. (107)

Then he drew out his hand and it was luminous to the onlookers. (108)

The assembly of Pharaoh's nation said: 'This man is a wellversed sorcerer (109)

who seeks to drive you from your land what do you command? ' (110)

Others said: 'Put them off a while, he and his brother, and send forth to your cities gatherers (111)

to summon every wellversed sorcerer to you. ' (112)

The sorcerers came to Pharaoh. They said: 'Shall we be rewarded if we are the winners? ' (113)

'Yes, ' he answered, 'and you will be among those near. ' (114)

They said: 'Moses, will you throw first or shall we be the throwers? ' (115)

'Throw, ' he replied. And when they threw, they bewitched the people's eyes and terrified them, and produced great sorcery. (116)