O Ye who believe expend out of the good things which ye have earned and out of that which We have brought forth for you from the earth, and seek not the vile thereof to expend, whereas ye yourselves would not accept such except ye connived thereat. And know that Allah is Self-Sufficient, Praiseworthy. 267 The devil promiseth you destitution and enjoineth on you lewdness. But Allah promiseth you forgiveness from Himself with bounty. Allah is All-Embracing, All-knowing. 268 He gives wisdom to whomsoever He please; and those who are bestowed wisdom get good in abundance. Yet none remembers this save men of wisdom. 269 For, whatever you may spend on others, or whatever you may vow [to spend,] verily, God knows it; and those who do wrong [by withholding charity] shall have none to succour them. 270 If you give alms openly, it is well; but if you do it secretly and give to the poor, that is better. This will absolve you of some of your sins; and God is cognisant of all you do. 271 ۞ It is not for thee [O Prophet] to make people follow the right path, since it is God [alone] who guides whom He wills. And whatever good you may spend on others is for your own good, provided that you spend only out of a longing for God's countenance: for, whatever good you may spend will be repaid unto you in full, and you shall not be wronged. 272 [And give] unto [such of] the needy who, being wholly wrapped up in God's cause, are unable to go about the earth [in search of livelihood]. He who is unaware [of their condition] might think that they are wealthy, because they abstain [from begging]; [but] thou canst recognize them by their special mark: they do not beg of men with importunity. And whatever good you may spend [on them,] verily, God knows it all. 273