How many a wrong-doing town did We shatter and then raise up another people. 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 cried: Alas for us! we were wrong-doers. 14 So they ceased not to cry, until We made them stubble, silent and still. 15 It was not in play that We created the heavens and the earth and all that lies between them. 16 Had it been Our will to find a pastime, We would have found one near at hand; if at all We were inclined to do so. 17 In fact We strike the truth against the false, which shatters it, and it disappears. Woe to you for what you attribute (to Him)! 18 for, unto Him belong all [beings] that are in the heavens and on earth; and those that are with Him are never too proud to worship Him and never grow weary [thereof]: 19 They say His Purity night and day, and do not slacken. 20 And yet some people choose to worship certain earthly things or beings as deities that [are supposed to] resurrect [the dead; and they fail to realize that,] 21 If there had been in them any gods except Allah, they would both have certainly been in a state of disorder; therefore glory be to Allah, the Lord of the dominion, above what they attribute (to Him). 22 He cannot be questioned about what He does, but they will be questioned. 23 Or have they taken gods besides Him? Say, [O Muhammad], "Produce your proof. This [Qur'an] is the message for those with me and the message of those before me." But most of them do not know the truth, so they are turning away. 24 We have not sent an apostle before you without instructing him that there is no god but I, so worship Me. 25 And they say: "(Allah) Most Gracious has begotten offspring." Glory to Him! they are (but) servants raised to honour. 26 they do not try to speak ahead of Him, and they act at His command. 27 He knows what is before them, and what is behind them, and they offer no intercession except for those who are acceptable, and they stand in awe and reverence of His (Glory). 28 ۞ And whoever of them should say: Surely I am a god besides Him, such a one do We recompense with hell; thus do, We recompense the unjust. 29