Those who disbelieved said to their Messengers: 'Return to our faith or we will banish you from our land' But Allah revealed to them: 'We shall destroy the harmdoers 13 and most certainly shall We cause you to dwell on earth [long] after they have passed away: this is [My promise] unto all who stand in awe of My presence, and stand in awe of My warning!" 14 But they sought victory and decision (there and then), and frustration was the lot of every powerful obstinate transgressor. 15 Hell went after him, and he will be made to drink liquid pus*. (* Discharged from the wounds of other people in hell.) 16 Which he sippeth but can hardly swallow, and death cometh unto him from every side while yet he cannot die, and before him is a harsh doom. 17 The parable of those who reject their Lord is that their works are as ashes, on which the wind blows furiously on a tempestuous day: No power have they over aught that they have earned: that is the straying far, far (from the goal). 18 Seest thou not that Allah created the heavens and the earth in Truth? If He so will, He can remove you and put (in your place) a new creation? 19 And that is no great matter for Allah. 20 And they all shall appear before Allah, then those who were counted weak shall say to those who were stiff-necked: verily we were unto you a following, are ye going to avail us at all against the torment of Allah? They will say: had Allah guided us, we would have guided you also; it is equal unto us whether we become impatient or bear patiently; for us there is no place of escape. 21