Behold! Abraham said to his father and his people: "I do indeed clear myself of what ye worship: 26 except Him who originated me, for He will guide me' 27 He made this an abiding word among his descendants, in order that they would return. 28 Now [as for those who did come after him,] I allowed them - as [I had allowed] their forebears - to enjoy their lives freely until the truth should come unto them through an apostle who would make all things clear: 29 Yet when the truth had come to them, they said: "This is sorcery. We shall never believe in it." 30 Then they said, "Why this Quran had not been revealed to a man from either of the two great towns". 31 What, is it they who divide the Mercy of your Lord! (It is) We who divided between them their livelihoods in this life, raising some in rank above others, so that some may take the other into his service. Your Lord's Mercy is better than all they gather. 32 And were it not that mankind would have become one community, We might well have appointed, for those who disbelieve in the Beneficent, roofs of silver for their houses and stairs (of silver) whereby to mount, 33 And silver doors for their houses, and silver couches whereon they recline, 34 or that they be made of gold. Surely all this is only the enjoyment of the life of the world. But (true prosperity) in the Hereafter with Your Lord is only for the God-fearing. 35