We have not created the heavens and earth, and what between them is, for vanity; such is the thought of the unbelievers, wherefore woe unto the unbelievers because of the Fire! 27 Do We consider the righteously striving believers equal to the evil-doers in the land? Are the pious ones equal to those who openly commit sin? 28 [All this have We expounded in this] blessed divine writ which We have revealed unto thee, [O Muhammad,] so that men may ponder over its messages, and that those who are endowed with insight may take them to heart. 29 AND UNTO DAVID We granted Solomon [as a son - and] how excellent a servant [of Ours he grew up to be]! Behold, he would always turn unto Us 30 [Mention] when there were exhibited before him in the afternoon the poised [standing] racehorses. 31 And he said, "Truly do I love the love of good, with a view to the glory of my Lord,"- until (the sun) was hidden in the veil (of night): 32 "Bring them back unto me!" - and would [lovingly] stroke their legs and their necks. 33 And We certainly tried Solomon and placed on his throne a body; then he returned. 34 He prayed, "Lord forgive me! Grant me such power as no one after me will have -- You are the Most Generous Provider." 35 We made the wind subservient to him, to blow gently wherever he desired at his command 36 And We subjected to him the evil ones: every builder and diver. 37 and others linked together in fetters. 38 "This is Our gift," (We said to him), "so bestow freely or withhold without reckoning." 39 And verily, nearness to Us awaits him [in the life to come,] and the most beauteous of all goals! 40