And who does greater evil than he who forges against God a lie, or cries lies to His signs? They shall not prosper, the evildoers. 21 On the Day of Judgment when We will gather all people together, We will ask the pagans, "Where are those whom you believed to be your gods?" 22 Then their excuse will be but to say: "By God our Lord, we were not idolaters." 23 Look how they lie against themselves, and how that which they were forging has gone astray from them! 24 Among them are some who listen to you, but We have placed veils over their hearts and deafness in their ears which prevent them from understanding what you say. Even if they saw all the signs, they would still not believe in them. When those who deny the truth come to dispute with you, they will say, "This is nothing but ancient fables," 25 And they prohibit (others) from it and go far away from it, and they only bring destruction upon their own souls while they do not perceive. 26 And could you see when they are made to stand before the fire, then they shall say: Would that we were sent back, and we would not reject the communications of our Lord and we would be of the believers. 27 The truth they used to hide will become all too clear to them. But if they were sent back, they would return to what they had been forbidden. For they are indeed liars. 28 They say: "There is no other life but that of this world, and we will not be raised (from the dead)." 29 If you could but see when they will be made to stand before their Lord. He will say, "Is this not the truth?" They will say, "Yes, by our Lord." He will [then] say, "So taste the punishment because you used to disbelieve." 30