And those who did not believe in My signs and in meeting Me, are those who have no hope of My mercy, and for them is a painful punishment. 23 Now [as for Abraham,] his people's only answer was, "Slay him, or burn him!" - but God saved him from the fire. Behold, in this [story] there are messages indeed for people who will believe! 24 And he said, 'You have only taken to yourselves idols, apart from God, as a mark of mutual love between you in the present life; then upon the Day of Resurrection you will deny one another, and you will curse one another, and your refuge will be the Fire, and you will have no helpers.' 25 ۞ But Lot believed him; and he said, 'I will flee to my Lord; He is the All-mighty, the All-wise.' 26 And We granted him Ishaq and Yaqoub, and caused the prophethood and the book to remain in his seed, and We gave him his reward in this world, and in the hereafter he will most surely be among the good. 27 And We rescued Lut when he said to his people, “You indeed commit the shameful; such that no one in the creation has ever done before you.” 28 Must you indeed approach men [with lust,] and thus cut across the way [of nature]? and must you commit these shameful deeds in your open] assemblies?" But his people's only answer was, "Bring down upon us God's chastisement, if thou art a man of truth!" 29 [And] he prayed: "O my Sustainer! Succour Thou me against these people who spread corruption!" 30