When Abraham said to his father and his people, "I boldly renounce what you worship 26 "(I worship) only Him Who made me, and He will certainly guide me." 27 And Ibrahim kept this declaration among his progeny, in order that they may desist. 28 Yea, I have given the good things of this life to these (men) and their fathers, until the Truth has come to them, and a messenger making things clear. 29 But when the Truth came to them, they said: "This is sorcery, and we do reject it." 30 They said, "Why was this Quran not sent down to one of the great men of the two cities?" 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 if it were not that the people would become one community [of disbelievers], We would have made for those who disbelieve in the Most Merciful - for their houses - ceilings and stairways of silver upon which to mount 33 and (silver) doors to their houses, and couches (of silver) upon which they would recline; 34 and ornaments of gold. But all of these are but the provision of this present life; it is the life to come that the Lord reserves for those who fear Him. 35