And who is more wicked than he who invents lies about God or denies His revelations? Surely the wicked will not succeed. 21 The day We shall gather all of them together and say to those who ascribe (partners to God): "Where are the compeers who you claimed (were equal to God)?" 22 Then their excuse will be but to say: "By God our Lord, we were not idolaters." 23 Look! How they lie against themselves! But the (lie) which they invented will disappear from them. 24 And among them is one who listens to you; and We have put covers upon their hearts so they may not understand it, and deafness in their ears; and (even) if they see all the signs, they will not believe in them; to the extent that when they come to you to debate with you, the disbelievers say, “This is nothing but stories of former people.” 25 Others they keep away from it, and themselves they keep away; but they only destroy their own souls, and they perceive it not. 26 And couldst thou see what time they shall be held over the Fire, and then they will say: would that we were sent back and now we shall not belie the signs of our Lord and we shall be of the believers. 27 No! They will say this merely because the Truth which they had concealed will become obvious to them; or else if they were sent back, they would still revert to what was forbidden to them. (So this plea of theirs would be a lie too) for they are just liars. 28 They say, "There is nothing beyond our life in this world: we shall not be raised up again from the dead." 29 If you see them when they are put before their Lord, He will say to them: "Is not this the truth?" They will answer: "Indeed, by our Lord." He will say: "Then taste the agony of punishment for what you had denied." 30