When Abraham said to his father and his people, "I boldly renounce what you worship 26 except the One Who created me; and, behold, it is He Who will direct me to the Right Way.” 27 And he made it a word enduring among his seed, that haply they might return. 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 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 Is it they who apportion the mercy of your Lord? It is We who distribute among them their livelihood in the life of this world, and raise some of them above others in rank, so that they may take one another into service; and the mercy of your Lord is better than [the wealth] which they amass. 32 Were it not that all mankind would become a single community (and follow the same way), We would have provided for all those who disbelieve in the Merciful One silver roofs for their houses, and (silver) stairs on which to go up, 33 And the doors of their houses and the couches on which they 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