۞ Say: "O 'Ibadi (My slaves) who have transgressed against themselves (by committing evil deeds and sins)! Despair not of the Mercy of Allah, verily Allah forgives all sins. Truly, He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. 53 And return [in repentance] to your Lord and submit to Him before the punishment comes upon you; then you will not be helped. 54 Follow the best of what has been revealed to you by your Lord before the punishment overtakes you suddenly and you are caught unawares, 55 Lest a soul should say: "Alas, I was heedless of God and only laughed;" 56 Or (lest) he should say: "If only Allah had guided me, I should indeed have been among the Muttaqun (pious and righteous persons - see V. 2:2)." 57 Or, on seeing the torment, it would say, "Would I have the opportunity, this time I would certainly become a pious person". 58 "(The reply will be:) 'Nay, but there came to thee my Signs, and thou didst reject them: thou wast Haughty, and became one of those who reject faith!'" 59 And on the Day of Resurrection thou (Muhammad) seest those who lied concerning Allah with their faces blackened. Is not the home of the scorners in hell? 60 And Allah will rescue the pious, to their place of salvation; neither will the punishment touch them, nor shall they grieve. 61 Allah is the Creator of all things, and He is the Guardian and Disposer of all affairs. 62 In His hands are the keys of the treasuries of the heavens and the earth. Those who reject God's revelations will be lost. 63