۞ "So your Lord has decreed: Do not worship anyone but Him, and be good to your parents. If one or both of them grow old in your presence, do not say fie to them, nor reprove them, but say gentle words to them 23 Be humble and merciful towards them and say, "Lord, have mercy upon them as they cherished me in my childhood." 24 Your Lord is most knowing of what is within yourselves. If you should be righteous [in intention] - then indeed He is ever, to the often returning [to Him], Forgiving. 25 And give his due to the near of kin, as well as to the needy and the wayfarer, but do not squander [thy substance] senselessly. 26 Indeed, the wasteful are brothers of the devils, and ever has Satan been to his Lord ungrateful. 27 but if, while waiting for your Lord's bounty which you are expecting, you turn them down, then at least speak to them kindly. 28 And neither allow thy hand to remain shackled to thy neck, nor stretch it forth to the utmost limit [of thy capacity,] lest thou find thyself blamed [by thy dependants,] or even destitute. 29 Your Lord gives to whom He will His provisions both abundantly and sparingly. He is aware and sees His worshipers. 30