Those who disbelieved in Allah's signs and in meeting Him, it is they who have despaired of My Mercy; it is they for whom a painful chastisement lies ahead. 23 Now [as for Abraham,] his people's only answer was, "Slay him, or burn him!" - but God saved him from the fire. Behold, in this [story] there are messages indeed for people who will believe! 24 And he said, 'You have only taken to yourselves idols, apart from God, as a mark of mutual love between you in the present life; then upon the Day of Resurrection you will deny one another, and you will curse one another, and your refuge will be the Fire, and you will have no helpers.' 25 ۞ And Lot believed him, and said: Lo! I am a fugitive unto my Lord. Lo! He, only He, is the Mighty, the Wise. 26 We granted Isaac and Jacob to Abraham and We bestowed upon his offspring, prophethood and the Book. We gave him his reward in this world and in the next life, he will be among the pious ones. 27 And We rescued Lut when he said to his people, “You indeed commit the shameful; such that no one in the creation has ever done before you.” 28 You approach men and waylay them on the road and commit depravities within your gatherings." But his people's only reply was, "Bring down God's punishment upon us, if what you say be true." 29 He said: "O my Lord! help Thou me against people who do mischief!" 30