Could, then, one whose bosom God has opened wide with willingness towards self-surrender unto Him, so that he is illumined by a light [that flows] from his Sustainer, [be likened to the blind and deaf of heart]? Woe, then, unto those whose hearts are hardened against all remembrance of God! They are most obviously lost in error! 22 Allah has sent down the best statement, a Book (this Quran), its parts resembling each other in goodness and truth, oft-repeated. The skins of those who fear their Lord shiver from it (when they recite it or hear it). Then their skin and their heart soften to the remembrance of Allah. That is the guidance of Allah. He Guides therewith whom He pleases and whomever Allah sends astray, for him there is no guide. 23 So will he who will not have a shield except his own face against the wretched punishment on the Day of Resurrection, ever be equal to one who is forgiven? And it will be said to the unjust, “Taste what you have earned!” 24 Those before them belied, wherefore the torment came on them whence they knew not. 25 so God let them taste degradation in this present life; and the chastisement of the world to come is assuredly greater, did they but know. 26 Indeed, We have struck of every manner of parable for mankind in this Koran in order that they will remember. 27 as a discourse in the Arabic tongue, free of all deviousness, so that they might become conscious of God. 28 God tells a parable in which there is a company of quarrelsome people and only one of them is well disciplined. Can they be considered as equal? It is only God who deserves all praise. In fact, most of them do not know. 29 Lo! thou wilt die, and lo! they will die; 30 Then, on the Day of Resurrection, you will be disputing before your Lord. 31