And when Abraham said unto his father and his folk: Lo! I am innocent of what ye 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 made it a word lasting among his posterity that haply they should return. 28 Now [as for those who did come after him,] I allowed them - as [I had allowed] their forebears - to enjoy their lives freely until the truth should come unto them through an apostle who would make all things clear: 29 But when the truth came to them, they said, "This is magic, and indeed we are, concerning it, disbelievers." 30 And they say, too, "Why was not this Qur'an bestowed from on high on some great man of the two 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 mankind would be one nation, We would have appointed for those who disbelieve in the All-merciful roofs of silver to their houses, and stairs whereon to mount, 33 And doors (of silver) for their houses, (silver) couches for reclining, 34 And (other) embellishments of gold; and all this is naught but provision of this world's life, and the hereafter is with your Lord only for those who guard (against evil). 35