How many a town has disobeyed its Lord and His Messenger! For them Our questioning was strict and Our punishment severe. 8 So they tasted the evil fruit of their deeds; and the fruit of their deeds was utter loss. 9 God has prepared severe retribution for them. People of understanding and believers, have fear of God. God has certainly sent you a reminder, 10 [He has sent] an apostle who conveys unto you God's clear messages, so that He might take those who have attained to faith and do righteous deeds out of the depths of darkness into the light. And whoever believes in God and does what is right and just, him will He admit into gardens through which running waters flow, therein to abide beyond the count of time: indeed, a most goodly provision will God have granted him! 11 It is God who created several skies, and as many earths. The commandment is sent down among them so that you may know that God has power over everything, and everything is held within the knowledge of God. 12