How many were the populations We utterly destroyed because of their iniquities, setting up in their places other peoples? 11 When they felt Our punishment coming upon them, they began to flee from it. 12 [Some angels said], "Do not flee but return to where you were given luxury and to your homes - perhaps you will be questioned." 13 They said: "Woe to us; surely we were wrong-doers." 14 And this ceased not to be their cry until We made them a harvest reaped, extinguished. 15 And We created not the heaven and the earth and that which is in between in play. 16 Had We intended that We should choose a sport, surely We would choose it from before Us - if We were ever going to do that. 17 Aye! We hurl truth against falsehood, so that it braineth it, and lo! it vanisheth; and to you be the woe for that which ye utter! 18 To Him belongs whoever is in the heavens and the earth. And those near Him are not prevented by arrogance from His worship, nor do they tire. 19 And they hallow Him night and day, and they flag not. 20 Have they chosen deities from earth? Can such deities give life to anyone? 21 If there were, in the heavens and the earth, other gods besides Allah, there would have been confusion in both! but glory to Allah, the Lord of the Throne: (High is He) above what they attribute to Him! 22 He cannot be questioned for His acts, but they will be questioned (for theirs). 23 Have they taken other deities besides Him? Say to them, "Bring your proofs. This is the reminder of those who are with me and the reminder of those who were before me." But most of them do not know the truth, and so they turn away from it. 24 Not a messenger did We send before thee without this inspiration sent by Us to him: that there is no god but I; therefore worship and serve Me. 25 They said, "The Beneficent God has given birth to a son. He is too Exalted to give birth to a son." (Those whom they think are God's sons) are only His honorable servants. 26 These servants do not speak before He speaks. They simply act according to His orders. 27 He knows what is before them and what is behind them. They intercede for none except for him whom He is well pleased, and they tremble in awe of Him. 28 ۞ If any one of them said: "I am God besides Him," We should award him Hell; for this is how We requite the evil-doers. 29