After We had destroyed the earlier generations, We gave Moses the Book to give men insight, and as guidance and a blessing for people, so that they might take heed. 43 NOW [as for thee, O Muhammad,] thou wert not present on the sunset slope [of Mount Sinai] when We imposed the Law upon Moses, nor wert thou among those who witnessed [his times]: 44 We raised generations who lived long. You did not live among the people of Midian, nor did you recite to them Our verses; but We were sending Messengers. 45 you were not on the side of the Mount when We called out to Moses, but We have sent you as a mercy from your Lord, so that you may warn people to whom no warner has been sent before you, so that they may take heed, 46 Otherwise, if some disaster befell them because of what their own hands have sent forward they would say, “Our Lord! Why did you not send a Noble Messenger towards us, so we may have followed Your signs and accepted faith?” 47 And yet, now that the truth has come unto them from Us, they say: "Why has he not been vouchsafed the like of what Moses was vouchsafed?" But did they not also, before this, deny the truth of what Moses was vouchsafed? [For] they do say: "Two examples of delusion, [seemingly] supporting each other!" And they add, "Behold, we refuse to accept either of them as true!" 48 Say thou: then bring a Book from before Allah, that is better in guidance than these two, I shall follow it - if ye are truth-tellers. 49 If they cannot meet such a challenge, know that they are only following their (evil) desires. Who strays more than one who follows his desires without guidance from God? God does not guide the unjust people. 50