Were it not for a word already gone from your Lord, the decree (of their destruction) would have come to pass. 129 Hence, bear with patience whatever they [who deny the truth] may say, and extol thy Sustainer's limitless glory and praise Him before the rising of the sun and before its setting; and extol His glory, too, during some of the hours of the night as well as during the hours of the day, so that thou might attain to happiness. 130 And strain not thine eyes after that which We have given classes of them to enjoy: the splendour of the life of the world, that We might try them therein; and the provision of thy Lord is the best and most lasting. 131 And enjoin prayer on your followers, and steadily adhere to it; We do not ask you for subsistence; We do give you subsistence, and the (good) end is for guarding (against evil). 132 And they Say: wherefore bringeth he not unto us a sign from his Lord? Hath not there came unto them the evidence of that which is in the former Scriptures? 133 Had We destroyed them with a punishment before this, they would have said: 'Our Lord, why did You not send us a Messenger so that we could have followed Your verses before we were humiliated and degraded' 134 Say: Each is awaiting; so await ye! Ye will come to know who are the owners of the path of equity, and who is right. 135