When Abraham said to his father and his people: "I am rid of what you worship 26 except Him who originated me; and He will guide me. 27 And he made it a word enduring among his posterity; haply so they would return. 28 In fact, I allowed them and their fathers to enjoy this life till the truth, and the apostle preaching it lucidly, came to them. 29 And when the truth came to them, they said, 'This is a sorcery, and in it we are unbelievers.' 30 And they said, "Why was this Qur'an not sent down upon a great man from [one of] the two cities?" 31 What, is it they who divide the mercy of the Lord? We have divided between them their livelihood in the present life, and raised some of them above others in rank, that some of them may take others in servitude; and the mercy of thy Lord is better than that they amass. 32 If it were not that all mankind might have become one community [of disbelievers], We could have given all those who deny the Lord of Mercy, houses with roofs of silver, silver staircases to ascend, 33 And silver doors for their houses, and silver couches whereon they recline, 34 And ornaments of gold. But all this would have been nothing but the vanity of this world. The Hereafter with your Lord is for those who take heed for themselves and follow the straight path. 35