And We sent Moses with Our signs, and a manifest authority, 96 to Pharaoh and his nobles. But they followed the command of Pharaoh and the command of Pharaoh was not rightly directed. 97 He shall go before his nation on the Day of Resurrection and lead them into the Fire. Evil is the watering place to be led down to! 98 And a curse followed them in the world, and on the Day of Resurrection; what a wretched gift is what they received. 99 That is an account of some towns which We recount to you. Of them some are still standing and some have been mown down. 100 And We did not oppress them at all, but it is they who wronged themselves – therefore their deities, whom they worshipped other than Allah, did not in the least benefit them when your Lord’s command came; and due to them, they increased nothing but ruin. 101 And such is the punishment of your Lord when He punishes the towns while they are unjust; surely His punishment is painful, severe. 102 Lo! herein verily there is a portent for those who fear the doom of the Hereafter. That is a day unto which mankind will be gathered, and that is a day that will be witnessed. 103 We are deferring it only for a time ordained. 104 And when the appointed Day comes, no one shall even dare to speak except by the leave of Allah. Then some will be declared wretched, others blessed. 105 And those who are doomed, will be in Hell: For them will be sighing and sobbing, 106 [They will be] abiding therein as long as the heavens and the earth endure, except what your Lord should will. Indeed, your Lord is an effecter of what He intends. 107 ۞ And as for the happy, they shall be in Paradise, therein dwelling forever, so long as the heavens and earth abide, save as thy Lord will -- for a gift unbroken. 108 So be thou not in doubt concerning what these men serve; they serve only as their fathers served before; and We shall surely pay them in full their portion undiminished. 109