And who does greater evil than he who forges against God a lie, or cries lies to His signs? They shall not prosper, the evildoers. 21 And on the day when We shall muster them all together, then We shall say unto those who associated other gods with God, 'Where are your associates whom you were asserting? 22 Then their excuse will be but to say: "By God our Lord, we were not idolaters." 23 Look how they lie against themselves, and how that which they were forging has gone astray from them! 24 And there are among them such as [seem to] listen to thee [O Prophet]: but over their hearts We have laid veils which prevent them from grasping the truth, and into their ears, deafness. And were they to see every sign [of the truth,] they would still not believe in it - so much so that when they come unto thee to contend with thee, those who are bent on denying the truth say: "This is nothing but fables of ancient times!" 25 and they bar others from believing and themselves keep away. But they ruin no one but themselves, though they fail to realize this. 26 If only you could see them standing in the fire saying, "Would that we could return to the worldly life. We would never reject any of our Lord's revelations and we would be true believers." 27 In fact it has become clear to them what they used to hide before; and were they to be sent back, they would commit the same which they were forbidden to, and undoubtedly they are liars. 28 And they say: There is nothing but our life of this world, and we shall not be raised. 29 And if you see when they are placed before their Lord, He will say, “Is this not real (the truth)? They will say, “Yes – why not, by our Lord!” He will say, “So now taste the punishment – the recompense of your disbelief.” 30