When Abraham said to his father and his people, "I boldly renounce what you worship 26 except Him who originated me, for He will guide me' 27 And he made it a word enduring among his seed, that haply they might 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 But when the truth came to them, they said: 'This is sorcery, we disbelieve in it' 30 They said, "Why was this Quran not sent down to one of the great men 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 Were it not for the fear that all people would become one in disbelief, We would have made for the disbelievers in the Beneficent God ceilings out of silver and ladders by which they would climb up, 33 And for their houses, doors (of silver), and thrones (of silver) on which they could recline, 34 And (other) embellishments of gold; and all this is naught but provision of this world's life, and the hereafter is with your Lord only for those who guard (against evil). 35