And but for a word that preceded from thy Lord, and a stated term, it had been fastened. 129 So bear patiently with what they say. Glorify your Lord, praising Him before sunrise and before sunset, and in the watches of the night, and glorify Him and at the ends of the day that you may attain to happiness. 130 And strain not your eyes in longing for the things We have given for enjoyment to various groups of them (polytheists and disbelievers in the Oneness of Allah), the splendour of the life of this world that We may test them thereby. But the provision (good reward in the Hereafter) of your Lord is better and more lasting. 131 Bid your people say their prayers, and be constant in their observance. We demand nothing from you. It is We who provide for you, and the best end is that of righteousness. 132 And they say, "Why does he not bring us a sign from his Lord?" Has there not come to them evidence of what was in the former scriptures? 133 For [thus it is:] had We destroyed them by means of a chastisement ere this [divine writ was revealed,] they would indeed [be justified to] say [on Judgment Day]: "O our Sustainer! If only Thou hadst sent an apostle unto us, we would have followed Thy messages rather than be humiliated and disgraced [in the hereafter]!" 134 Say: "Each one awaits the consequence; so you wait. You will come to know soon who are the men of the straight path and who have come to guidance. 135