Could, then, one whose bosom God has opened wide with willingness towards self-surrender unto Him, so that he is illumined by a light [that flows] from his Sustainer, [be likened to the blind and deaf of heart]? Woe, then, unto those whose hearts are hardened against all remembrance of God! They are most obviously lost in error! 22 God has sent down the best Message: a Scripture that is consimilar and oft-repeated: that causes the skins of those in awe of their Lord to creep. Then their skins and their hearts soften at the mention of God: such is God's guidance. He bestows it upon whoever He will; but no one can guide those whom God leaves to stray. 23 So will he who will not have a shield except his own face against the wretched punishment on the Day of Resurrection, ever be equal to one who is forgiven? And it will be said to the unjust, “Taste what you have earned!” 24 Those before them belied, and so the torment came on them from directions they perceived not. 25 and thus God let them taste ignominy [even] in the life of this world. Yet [how] much greater will be the [sinners'] suffering in the life to come - if they [who now deny the truth] but knew it! 26 THUS, INDEED, have We propounded unto men all kinds of parables in this Qur'an, so that they might bethink themselves; [and We have revealed it] 27 A clear discourse which expounds all things without any obliquity, so that they may take heed for themselves. 28 [To this end,] God sets forth a parable: A man who has for his masters several partners, [all of them] at variance with one another, and a man depending wholly on one person: can these two be deemed equal as regards their condition? [Nay,] all praise is due to God [alone]: but most of them do not understand this. 29 Thou art mortal, and they are mortal; 30 Then, on the Day of Judgment, all of you will present your disputes before your Lord. 31