THE FOLLOWERS of the Old Testament demand of thee [O Prophet] that thou cause a revelation to be sent down to them from heaven. And an even greater thing than this did they demand of Moses when they said, "Make us see God face to face" - whereupon the thunderbolt of punishment overtook them for this their wickedness. After that, they took to worshipping the [golden] calf - and this after all evidence of the truth had come unto them! None the less, We effaced this [sin of theirs,] and vouchsafed unto Moses a clear proof [of the truth,] 153 We exalted them on the Mount, and they gave a solemn pledge, and We said to them: "Enter the gates submissively," and told them: "Do not break the Sabbath," and took a solemn pledge from them. 154 However, because of their disbelief, disregard of their covenant, denial of God's revelations, murdering the Prophets without reason, and their saying that their hearts were covered, We sealed up their hearts. Only a few of them believe. 155 And because they denied and spoke dreadful calumnies of Mary; 156 And [for] their saying, "Indeed, we have killed the Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary, the messenger of Allah." And they did not kill him, nor did they crucify him; but [another] was made to resemble him to them. And indeed, those who differ over it are in doubt about it. They have no knowledge of it except the following of assumption. And they did not kill him, for certain. 157 But Allah took him up unto Himself. Allah was ever Mighty, Wise. 158 There is not one of the People of the Book but will assuredly believe in him before his death, and on the Resurrection Day he will be a witness against them. 159 And for the evildoing of those of Jewry, We have forbidden them certain good things that were permitted to them, and for their barring from God's way many, 160 and for their taking interest which had been prohibited to them, and for their consuming the wealth of others wrongfully. And for the unbelievers among them We have prepared a painful chastisement. 161 But of them those well-grounded in the Knowledge and the believers believe in that which hath been sent down unto thee and that which hath been sent down before thee, and the establishers of prayer and the givers of the poor-rate and the believers in Allah and the Last Day - those: unto them anon We shall give a mighty hire. 162