How many habitations that were sinful have We demolished utterly, and raised other people after them. 11 Then, when they perceived Our chastisement they took to their heels and fled. 12 We told them, "Do not run away. Come back to your luxuries and your houses so that you can be questioned". 13 They said: "Ah! woe to us! We were indeed wrong-doers!" 14 and this they kept repeating until We caused them to become like a field mowed down, and reduced to ashes. 15 Not for (idle) sport did We create the heavens and the earth and all that is between! 16 If We had wished to find a pastime, We could have found it in Our presence - if We ever did. 17 We bring forward the Truth to crush and destroy falsehood; it is doomed to be banished. Woe to you for your way of thinking about God! 18 To Him belongs all those who are in the heavens and the earth. Those who are closer to Him are not too proud to worship Him, nor do they get tired of worshipping. 19 Nor cease to endeavour praising Him night and day. 20 Or have they taken gods from the earth who can raise the dead? 21 Had there been other deities in the heavens and the earth besides God, both the heavens and the earth would have been destroyed. God, the Lord of the Throne, is too Glorious to be as they think He is. 22 He cannot be questioned for His acts, but they will be questioned (for theirs). 23 Or have they taken gods apart from Him? Say: 'Bring your proof! This is the Remembrance of him who is with me, and the Remembrance of those before me. Nay, but the most part of them know not the truth, so therefore they are turning away. 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 And they say: The Beneficent Allah has taken to Himself a son. Glory be to Him. Nay! they are honored servants 26 They speak not before He speaks, and they act (in all things) by His Command. 27 He knows what is before them, and what is behind them, and they offer no intercession except for those who are acceptable, and they stand in awe and reverence of His (Glory). 28 ۞ And whoever of them should say: Surely I am a god besides Him, such a one do We recompense with hell; thus do, We recompense the unjust. 29