When Abraham said to his father and his people, "I boldly renounce what you worship 26 Save Him Who hath created me, and then He would guide me. 27 and he left these words to endure among his descendants, so that they might return [to God]. 28 (Even when they began worshipping others than Allah We did not destroy them) but bestowed sustenance on them and on their forefathers until there came to them the Truth and a Messenger who clearly expounded things to them. 29 but when the truth came to them, they said, "This is sorcery, and we reject it." 30 Also, they say: "Why is not this Qur'an sent down to some leading man in either of the two (chief) cities?" 31 What, is it they who divide the Mercy of your Lord! (It is) We who divided between them their livelihoods in this life, raising some in rank above others, so that some may take the other into his service. Your Lord's Mercy is better than all they gather. 32 And were it not that [with the prospect of boundless riches before them] all people would become one [evil] community, We might indeed have provided for those who [now] deny the Most Gracious roofs of silver for their houses, and [silver] stairways whereon to ascend, 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