And when Ibrahim said to his father and his people: Surely I am clear of what you worship, 26 except Him who originated me, for He will guide me' 27 and he left these words to endure among his descendants, so that they might return [to God]. 28 Aye! I let these and their fathers enjoy life, until there hath come unto them the truth and an apostle manifest. 29 But when the Truth came to them, they said: "This is sorcery, and we do reject it." 30 And they say, too, "Why was not this Qur'an bestowed from on high on some great man of the two cities?" 31 Shall they apportion their Lord's mercy? It is We Who have apportioned among them their livelihood in the life of the world, and raised some of them over others in degrees, so that one of them may take another as a serf; and the mercy of thy Lord is better than that which they amass. 32 And if it were not that the people would become one community [of disbelievers], We would have made for those who disbelieve in the Most Merciful - for their houses - ceilings and stairways of silver upon which to mount 33 And (silver) doors to their houses, and thrones (of silver) on which they could recline, 34 and other ornament of gold. All these are only the means of enjoyment in this world, but the pious will receive their reward from your Lord in the life hereafter. 35