And We sent Noah and Abraham, and established in their line Prophethood and Revelation: and some of them were on right guidance. But many of them became rebellious transgressors. 26 Thereafter in their footsteps We caused Our apostles to follow, and We caused Isa, son of Maryam, to follow them, and We vouchsafed unto him the Injil, and We placed in the hearts of those who followed him tenderness and mercy. And asceticism! they innovated it - We prescribed it not for them, only seeking Allah's pleasure, yet they tended it not with tendence due thereto. So We vouchsafed unto such of them as believed their hire, and many of them are transgressors. 27 O you who believe [in Musa (Moses) (i.e. Jews) and 'Iesa (Jesus) (i.e. Christians)]! Fear Allah, and believe too in His Messenger (Muhammad SAW), He will give you a double portion of His Mercy, and He will give you a light by which you shall walk (straight), and He will forgive you. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. 28 That the People of the Book may know that they have no power whatever over the Grace of Allah, that (His) Grace is (entirely) in His Hand, to bestow it on whomsoever He wills. For Allah is the Lord of Grace abounding. 29