Who is more wicked than he who invents a lie about Allah or belies His verses? The harmdoers shall never prosper. 21 On the Day when We gather them all together, We will say to those who associated [others with Us], "Where are those partners that you claimed?" 22 Then their excuse will be but to say: "By God our Lord, we were not idolaters." 23 Behold, how they will lie against themselves and how their forged deities will forsake them! 24 And among them are those who listen to you, but We have placed over their hearts coverings, lest they understand it, and in their ears deafness. And if they should see every sign, they will not believe in it. Even when they come to you arguing with you, those who disbelieve say, "This is not but legends of the former peoples." 25 And they forbid (men) from it and avoid it, and they ruin none save themselves, though they perceive not. 26 And could you see when they are made to stand before the fire, then they shall say: Would that we were sent back, and we would not reject the communications of our Lord and we would be of the believers. 27 No; that which they were concealing before has now appeared to them; and even if they were returned, they would again commit the very thing they were prohibited; they are truly liars. 28 And they said, “There is no other life except our life of this world, and we are not to be raised.” 29 If you could only see when they are made to stand before their Lord! He will ask them, "Is this [second life] not the truth?" They will say, "Yes, by our Lord!" He will say, "Then, taste the punishment that comes from your having refused to acknowledge the truth!" 30