Moses said, ‘He is your Lord and the Lord of your forefathers.’
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Pharaoh said, ‘This messenger who has been sent to you is truly possessed.’
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Moses continued, ‘Lord of the East and West and everything between them. If you would only use your reason!’
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But Pharaoh said [to him], ‘If you take any god other than me, I will throw you into prison,’
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and Moses asked, ‘Even if I show you something convincing?’
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‘Show it then,’ said Pharaoh, ‘if you are telling the truth.’
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So Moses threw down his staff and- lo and behold!- it became a snake for everyone to see
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Then he drew out his hand and- lo and behold!- it was white for the onlookers to see
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Pharaoh said to the counsellors around him, ‘This man is a learned sorcerer
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He means to use his sorcery to drive you out of your land! What do you suggest?’
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They answered, ‘Delay him and his brother for a while, and send messengers to all the cities
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to bring every accomplished sorcerer to you.’
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The sorcerers were [to be] assembled at the appointed time on a certain day
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and the people were asked
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‘Are you all coming? We may follow the sorcerers if they win!’
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When the sorcerers came, they said to Pharaoh, ‘Shall we be rewarded if we win?’
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and he said, ‘Yes, and you will join my inner court.’
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Moses said to them, ‘Throw down whatever you will.’
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They threw their ropes and staffs, saying, ‘By Pharaoh’s might, we shall be victorious.’
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But Moses threw his staff and- lo and behold!- it swallowed up their trickery
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and the sorcerers fell down on their knees
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exclaiming, ‘We believe in the Lord of the Worlds
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the Lord of Moses and Aaron.’
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Pharaoh said, ‘How dare you believe in him before I have given you permission? He must be the master who taught you sorcery! Soon you will see: I will cut off your alternate hands and feet and then crucify the lot of you!’
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‘That will do us no harm,’ they said, ‘for we are sure to return to our Lord
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