How many a city that was evildoing We have shattered, and set up after it another people! 11 Then, when they perceived Our chastisement they took to their heels and fled. 12 [Some angels said], "Do not flee but return to where you were given luxury and to your homes - perhaps you will be questioned." 13 They said, "O woe to us! Indeed, we were wrongdoers." 14 And this ceased not to be their cry until We made them a harvest reaped, extinguished. 15 We created not the heaven and the earth, and whatsoever between them is, as playing; 16 Had it been Our will to find a pastime, We would have found one near at hand; if at all We were inclined to do so. 17 But in fact We hurl the truth upon falsehood, so it scatters its brains – thereupon it vanishes; and for you is the ruin due to the matters you fabricate. 18 To Him belong all (creatures) in the heavens and on earth: Even those who are in His (very) Presence are not too proud to serve Him, nor are they (ever) weary (of His service): 19 They glorify Him day and night without fail. 20 Have they taken earthly gods who are such that they raise up the dead to life? 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 cannot be questioned as to what He does, while they will be questioned. 23 Or, have they taken gods besides Him? Say: Bring your proof; this is the reminder of those with me and the reminder of those before me. Nay! most of them do not know the truth, so they turn aside. 24 And We sent not before thee an apostle but We revealed unto him that there is no god but I, so worship Me. 25 And they said, “The Most Gracious has chosen a son – Purity is to Him! In fact they are honourable bondmen.” 26 They speak not before He speaks, and they act (in all things) by His Command. 27 He knows all that lies open before them and all that is hidden from them: hence, they cannot intercede for any but those whom He has [already] graced with His goodly acceptance, since they themselves stand in reverent awe of Him. 28 ۞ The recompense of those of them who say that they are the Lord instead of God will be hell; thus, do We recompense the unjust ones. 29