And certainly We sent Nuh and Ibrahim and We gave to their offspring the (gift of) prophecy and the Book; so there are among them those who go aright, and most of them are transgressors. 26 Thereafter in their footsteps We caused Our apostles to follow, and We caused Isa, son of Maryam, to follow them, and We vouchsafed unto him the Injil, and We placed in the hearts of those who followed him tenderness and mercy. And asceticism! they innovated it - We prescribed it not for them, only seeking Allah's pleasure, yet they tended it not with tendence due thereto. So We vouchsafed unto such of them as believed their hire, and many of them are transgressors. 27 O YOU who have attained to faith! Remain conscious of God, and believe in His Apostle, [and] He will grant you doubly of His grace, and will light for you a light wherein you shall walk, and will forgive you [your past sins]: for God is much-forgiving, a dispenser of grace. 28 So that the People of the Book may know that they have no power over any of the favors of Allah; that the favors are in the Hand of Allah; He gives it to whom He will. The Favor of Allah is the Great. 29