And some of the followers of earlier revelation say [to one another]: "Declare your belief in what has been revealed unto those who believe [in Muhammad] at the beginning of the day, and deny the truth of what came later, so that they might go back [on their faith]; 72 And believe not save one who followeth your religion. Say thou: verily the guidance of Allah - that is the guidance. Envy ye that any one should be vouchsafed the like of that which was vouchsafed unto you, or fear ye that those others may overcome you in contention before your Lord? Say thou: verily the grace is in the hand of Allah, He vouchsafeth it unto whomsoever He will; and Allah is Bounteous, Knowing. 73 He selects for His mercy whom He wills. And Allah is the possessor of great bounty. 74 ۞ If you entrust some of the People of the Book, with a large quantity of gold, they will return it to you while if you entrust others among them with a small quantity of gold, they will not give it back to you unless you keep insisting on its return. For they say, "We are not bound to keep our words with the illiterate people," and they themselves knowingly ascribe false statements to God. 75 Nay, but [God is aware of] those who keep their bond with Him, and are conscious of Him: and verily, God loves those who are conscious of Him. 76 Verily those who barter Allah's covenant and their oaths at a small price - no portion is theirs in the Hereafter; nor shall Allah speak unto them or look at them on the Day of Resurrection, nor shall He cleanse them, and theirs shall be a torment afflictive. 77 And verily among them, are a party who pervert the Book with their tongues, that ye might deem it of the Book whereas it is not of the Book. And they say it is from God; whereas it is not from Allah, and they forge a lie against Allah while they know. 78 It is not conceivable that a human being unto whom God had granted revelation, and sound judgment, and prophethood, should thereafter have said unto people, "Worship me beside God"; but rather [did he exhort them,] "Become men of God by spreading the knowledge of the divine writ, and by your own deep study [thereof]." 79 Nor would he enjoin you to take the angels and the prophets as your lords; how could he command you to be disbelievers after you have submitted to God. 80