AND WHEN Abraham spoke to his father and his people, [he had this very truth in mind:] "Verily, far be it from me to worship what you worship! 26 None [do I worship] but Him who has brought me into being: and behold, it is He who will guide me!" 27 And he uttered this as a word destined to endure among those who would come after him, so that they might [always] return [to it]. 28 In fact, We allowed them and their fathers to enjoy themselves until the truth and a strong Messenger came to them. 29 Yet when the truth had come to them, they said: "This is sorcery. We shall never believe in it." 30 They also said: 'Why was this Koran not sent down to a great man from the two Villages' 31 Is it they who would portion out the Mercy of thy Lord? It is We Who portion out between them their livelihood in the life of this world: and We raise some of them above others in ranks, so that some may command work from others. But the Mercy of thy Lord is better than the (wealth) which they amass. 32 Were it not for the fear that all people would become one in disbelief, We would have made for the disbelievers in the Beneficent God ceilings out of silver and ladders by which they would climb up, 33 doors for their houses, couches on which to recline, 34 And ornaments of gold. Yet all that would have been but a provision of the life of the world. And the Hereafter with your Lord would have been for those who keep from evil. 35