And how many a city have We overthrown which were doing wrong, and We caused to grow up thereafter another nation! 11 When they felt Our punishment coming upon them, they began to flee from it. 12 'Run not! Return you unto the luxury that you exulted in, and your dwelling-places; haply you shall be questioned.' 13 They said: O woe to us! surely we were unjust. 14 They did not cease to cry this until We reduced them to stubble, still and silent. 15 We did not create in sport the heavens and the earth and all that lies between the two. 16 Had We wished to find a pastime, We would surely have found it in that which is with Us, if such had been Our will. 17 No, We hurl truth at falsehood, and it shall conquer it, and see, falsehood vanishes. Woe to you for all you have described. 18 To Him belong all (creatures) in the heavens and on earth: Even those who are in His (very) Presence are not too proud to serve Him, nor are they (ever) weary (of His service): 19 Nor cease to endeavour praising Him night and day. 20 Have they taken gods from the earth who raise the deed? 21 Why, were there gods in earth and heaven other than God, they would surely go to ruin; so glory be to God, the Lord of the Throne, above that they describe! 22 He will not be questioned about anything He does, but all people will be questioned about their deeds. 23 Have they taken gods other than Him? Say, (O Muhammad): "Bring forth your proof! Here is the Book with admonition for those of my time and there are also scriptures with admonition for people before me." But most people do not know the Truth, and have, therefore, turned away from it. 24 Never did We send any Messenger before you to whom We did not reveal: "There is no god but Me. So serve Me alone." 25 And they say: "(Allah) Most Gracious has begotten offspring." Glory to Him! they are (but) servants raised to honour. 26 They did not precede Him in their speech, and acted on His command. 27 He knows all that lies open before them and all that is hidden from them: hence, they cannot intercede for any but those whom He has [already] graced with His goodly acceptance, since they themselves stand in reverent awe of Him. 28 ۞ If any of them says, 'I am a god apart from Him', such a one We recompense with Gehenna; even so We recompense the evildoers. 29