Can he whose breast Allah has opened up for Islam and who is thus (moving along a Path) illumined by a light from Allah (be likened to him who derives no lesson from what he observes)? Woe, then, to those whose hearts were further hardened after Allah's admonition. Such are indeed in obvious error. 22 Allah has revealed (from time to time) the most beautiful Message in the form of a Book, consistent with itself, (yet) repeating (its teaching in various aspects): the skins of those who fear their Lord tremble thereat; then their skins and their hearts do soften to the celebration of Allah's praises. Such is the guidance of Allah: He guides therewith whom He pleases, but such as Allah leaves to stray, can have none to guide. 23 What about the one who will have only his bare face to protect him from his terrible punishment on the Day of Resurrection? The evil-doers will be told, "Taste what you have earned." 24 Their predecessors gave the lie to the Truth and then chastisement came upon them from whence they could not imagine. 25 So Allah gave them a taste of humiliation in the present life, but greater is the punishment of the Hereafter, if they only knew! 26 THUS, INDEED, have We propounded unto men all kinds of parables in this Qur'an, so that they might bethink themselves; [and We have revealed it] 27 as a discourse in the Arabic tongue, free of all deviousness, so that they might become conscious of God. 28 God sets forth a parable: there are two men -- one belonging to many masters, all disagreeing with one another, and the other belonging entirely to one master: are those two equal in comparison? Praise be to God! But most of them have no knowledge. 29 Thou art mortal, and they are mortal; 30 and, then on the Day of Resurrection you shall place your dispute before your Sustainer. 31