How many a city that was evildoing We have shattered, and set up after it another people! 11 And when they tasted Our punishment, they immediately started fleeing from it. 12 'Run not! Return you unto the luxury that you exulted in, and your dwelling-places; haply you shall be questioned.' 13 They said, 'Alas for us! We have been evildoers.' 14 And this ceased not to be their cry until We made them a harvest reaped, extinguished. 15 We have not created the heavens and the earth, and all that lies between them, out of fun. 16 Had We intended to take a diversion, We could have taken it from [what is] with Us - if [indeed] We were to do so. 17 No, We hurl truth at falsehood, and it shall conquer it, and see, falsehood vanishes. Woe to you for all you have described. 18 And His is whosoever is in the heavens and the earth; and those nigh unto Him are not too stiff-necked for His worship nor are they weary. 19 They glorify Him night and day, without flagging. 20 Have they appointed from the earth, Gods that create something? 21 Why, were there gods in earth and heaven other than God, they would surely go to ruin; so glory be to God, the Lord of the Throne, above that they describe! 22 He shall not be questioned as to what He does, but they shall he questioned. 23 Or have they taken gods apart from Him? Say: 'Bring your proof! This is the Remembrance of him who is with me, and the Remembrance of those before me. Nay, but the most part of them know not the truth, so therefore they are turning away. 24 And We did not send before you any apostle but We revealed to him that there is no god but Me, therefore serve Me. 25 They say: "The Most Compassionate Lord has taken to Himself a son." Glory be to Him! Those whom they so designate are only His honoured servants. 26 These servants do not speak before He speaks. They simply act according to His orders. 27 He knows all that is in front of them and all that is behind them. (These servants of God) will not intercede with Him for anyone without His permission and they tremble in awe (before His greatness). 28 ۞ The recompense of those of them who say that they are the Lord instead of God will be hell; thus, do We recompense the unjust ones. 29