For, how many a community that persisted in evildoing have We dashed into fragments, and raised another people in its stead! 11 And when they tasted Our punishment, they immediately started fleeing from it. 12 'Do not run away. Return to your luxury that you rejoiced in, and your homes in order that you be questioned' 13 They said: O woe to us! surely we were unjust. 14 and this they kept repeating until We caused them to become like a field mowed down, and reduced to ashes. 15 We have not created the heavens and the earth, and all that lies between them, out of fun. 16 Had We intended to take a diversion, We could have taken it from [what is] with Us - if [indeed] We were to do so. 17 Rather, We dash the truth upon falsehood, and it destroys it, and thereupon it departs. And for you is destruction from that which you describe. 18 To Him belongs whoever is in the heavens and the earth. And those near Him are not prevented by arrogance from His worship, nor do they tire. 19 They glorify (Him) night and day; they flag not. 20 Have they taken deities from the earth who can bring the dead to life? 21 Had there been gods apart from God, both (the heavens and the earth) would have been despoiled. Much too glorious is God, the Lord of the mighty throne, for things they assert! 22 He shall be questioned not as to that which He doth, while they shall be questioned. 23 Or, have they taken gods besides Him? Say: Bring your proof; this is the reminder of those with me and the reminder of those before me. Nay! most of them do not know the truth, so they turn aside. 24 Not a messenger did We send before thee without this inspiration sent by Us to him: that there is no god but I; therefore worship and serve Me. 25 They say 'The Merciful has taken a son' Exaltations to Him! No, they are only His honored worshipers, 26 They precede Him not in words, and by His command they work. 27 He knows whatever is before them and whatsoever is remote from them and they do not intercede except for him, intercession on whose behalf pleases Him, and they stand constantly in awe of Him. 28 ۞ If any of them should say, "I am a god besides Him", such a one We should reward with Hell: thus do We reward those who do wrong. 29