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 (They were told): "Flee not, but return to your comforts and to your dwellings. You are likely to be questioned." 13 And they could only cry: "Oh, woe unto us! Verily, we were wrongdoers!" 14 They did not cease to cry this until We reduced them to stubble, still and silent. 15 And We created not the heaven and the earth and that which is in between in play. 16 Had We wished to find a pastime, We would surely have found it in that which is with Us, if such had been Our will. 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 To Him belongs whosoever is in the heavens and the earth; and those who are with Him wax not too proud to do Him service neither grow weary, 19 glorifying Him by night and in the daytime and never failing. 20 Or, have they taken earthly gods who revive the dead? 21 Had there been other deities in the heavens and the earth besides God, both the heavens and the earth would have been destroyed. God, the Lord of the Throne, is too Glorious to be as they think He is. 22 He is not questioned about what He does, but they will be questioned. 23 Or have they taken for worship (other) gods besides him? Say, "Bring your convincing proof: this is the Message of those with me and the Message of those before me." But most of them know not the Truth, and so turn away. 24 And We sent not before you any messenger except that We revealed to him that, "There is no deity except Me, so worship Me." 25 And [yet,] some say: "The Most Gracious has taken unto Himself a son"! Limitless is He in His glory! Nay, [those whom they regard as God's "offspring" are but His] honoured servants: 26 they do not try to speak ahead of Him, and they act at His command. 27 He knows what is before them and what is behind them, and they do not intercede except for him whom He approves and for fear of Him they tremble. 28 ۞ Whoever of them should say, "I am a deity besides Him," shall be requited with Hell. Thus do We reward the wrongdoers. 29