Were it not for a word already gone from your Lord, the decree (of their destruction) would have come to pass. 129 So be thou patient under what they say, and proclaim thy Lord's praise before the rising of the sun, and before its setting, and proclaim thy Lord's praise in the watches of the night, and at the ends of the day; haply thou wilt be well-pleasing. 130 Do not stretch your eyes at the flower of this life which We have given couples to enjoy, it is with this that We might try them; and the provision of your Lord is better, and more enduring. 131 And bid thy people to pray, and persevere therein. [But remember:] We do not ask thee to provide sustenance [for Us]: it is We who provide sustenance for thee. And the future belongs to the God-conscious. 132 They say: "Why does he not bring us a sign (proof) from his Lord?" Has there not come to them the proof of that which is (written) in the former papers [Scriptures, i.e. the Taurat (Torah), and the Injeel (Gospel), etc. about the coming of the Prophet Muhammad SAW]. 133 If We had destroyed them by some calamity sooner than this, they would have surely said: "O Lord, if You had sent to us a messenger we would have followed Your command before being humbled and disgraced." 134 Say, "Everyone is waiting; so wait if you will. You shall know who has followed the right path, and who has found guidance." 135