Or has He taken, out of what He has created, daughters and chosen you for [having] sons? 16 And when one of them is given good tidings of that which he attributes to the Most Merciful in comparison, his face becomes dark, and he suppresses grief. 17 What, one who is reared amid ornaments and, when the time of altercation comes, is not to be seen? 18 And they make the angels-- them who are the servants of the Beneficent Allah-- female (divinities). What! did they witness their creation? Their evidence shall be written down and they shall be questioned. 19 They say, "If the All Merciful had so willed, we would not have worshipped them." They have no knowledge of that. They are only conjecturing. 20 Or have We given them a Book before this which they hold fast to? 21 Nay, for they say only: Lo! we found our fathers following a religion, and we are guided by their footprints. 22 And similarly, We did not send before you any warner into a city except that its affluent said, "Indeed, we found our fathers upon a religion, and we are, in their footsteps, following." 23 ۞ The prophet said, “What! Even if I bring to you a path better than what you found your forefathers following?”; they said, “We do not believe in whatever you have been sent with.” 24 Then We exacted retribution from them. So do consider the end of those who gave the lie (to the Prophets). 25