How many unjust towns did We destroy and replace them with other nations? 11 And when its inhabitants perceived Our punishment, at once they fled 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: O woe to us! surely we were unjust. 14 And this remained their lament till We mowed them down and made them extinct. 15 We created not the heaven and the earth and all that is between them in play. 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 To Him belongs whoever is in the heavens and the earth. And those near Him are not prevented by arrogance from His worship, nor do they tire. 19 They glorify (Him) by night and day; they are never languid. 20 Have they taken earthly gods who are such that they raise up the dead to life? 21 Had there been gods apart from God, both (the heavens and the earth) would have been despoiled. Much too glorious is God, the Lord of the mighty throne, for things they assert! 22 None shall question Him about His works, but they shall be questioned. 23 Or have they chosen other gods beside Him? say: Bring your proof (of their godhead). This is the Reminder of those with me and those before me, but most of them know not the Truth and so they are averse. 24 Not a messenger did We send before thee without this inspiration sent by Us to him: that there is no god but I; therefore worship and serve Me. 25 They say, "The All Merciful has taken a son!" Glory be to Him! They are only His honoured servants: 26 they do not try to speak ahead of Him, and they act at His command. 27 He knows whatever is before them and whatsoever is remote from them and they do not intercede except for him, intercession on whose behalf pleases Him, and they stand constantly in awe of Him. 28 ۞ And if any of them were to say: "Behold, I am deity beside Him" - that one We should requite with hell: thus do We requite all [such] evildoers. 29