How many unjust towns did We destroy and replace them with other nations? 11 Whensoever they sensed Our punishment they fled from them. 12 [and at the same time they seemed to hear a scornful voice]: "Do not try to flee, but return to all that [once] gave you pleasure and corrupted your whole being, and [return] to your homes, so that you might be called to account [for what you have done]!" 13 They cried, “Woe to us, we were indeed unjust!” 14 and this they kept repeating until We caused them to become like a field mowed down, and reduced to ashes. 15 And We have not created the heavens and the earth and all that is between them, unnecessarily. 16 Had We wished to take to Us an amusement We would have taken it to Us from Ours had We done so. 17 Nay, but We hurl the true against the false, and it doth break its head and lo! it vanisheth. And yours will be woe for that which ye ascribe (unto Him). 18 And to Him only belong all those who are in the heavens and in the earth; and those with Him are not conceited towards worshipping Him, nor do they tire. 19 And they hallow Him night and day, and they flag not. 20 Or have men taken for themselves gods from the earth who resurrect [the dead]? 21 had there been in heaven or on earth any deities other than God, both [those realms would surely have fallen into ruin! But limitless in His glory is God, enthroned in His awesome almightiness far] above anything that men may devise by way of definition! 22 None shall question Him about His works, but they shall be questioned. 23 Have they taken gods besides God? Say: "Then bring your proof. Here is the Book of those who are with me, and the Book of those who have gone before me." But most men do not know the truth and turn away. 24 We have not sent an apostle before you without instructing him that there is no god but I, so worship Me. 25 They say:' 'The All-merciful has taken to Him a son.' Glory be to Him! Nay, but they are honoured servants 26 These servants do not speak before He speaks. They simply act according to His orders. 27 He knows what is before them and what is behind them, and they cannot intercede without His permission. Indeed they themselves stand in awe of Him. 28 ۞ And if any of them were to say: "Behold, I am deity beside Him" - that one We should requite with hell: thus do We requite all [such] evildoers. 29