How many a town (community), that were wrong-doers, have We destroyed, and raised up after them another people! 11 When they found Our torment approaching them they started to run away from the town. 12 'Do not run away. Return to your luxury that you rejoiced in, and your homes in order that you be questioned' 13 "Woe, alas," they said, "we were really sinful." 14 and this they kept repeating until We caused them to become like a field mowed down, and reduced to ashes. 15 It was not in play that We created the heavens and the earth and all that lies between them. 16 Had We intended that We should choose a sport, surely We would choose it from before Us - if We were ever going to do that. 17 No, We hurl truth at falsehood, and it shall conquer it, and see, falsehood vanishes. Woe to you for all you have described. 18 To Him belongs whosoever is in the heavens and the earth; and those who are with Him wax not too proud to do Him service neither grow weary, 19 They celebrate His praises night and day, nor do they ever flag or intermit. 20 Or have they chosen gods from the earth who raise the dead? 21 Why, were there gods in earth and heaven other than God, they would surely go to ruin; so glory be to God, the Lord of the Throne, above that they describe! 22 He cannot be questioned concerning what He does and they shall be questioned. 23 Have they taken gods beside Him? Say thou: forth with your proof This is an admonition unto those with me and an admonition unto those before me. But most of them knew not the truth, and so they are averters. 24 and [this despite the fact that even] before thy time We never sent any apostle without having revealed to him that there is no deity save Me, - [and that,] therefore, you shall worship Me [alone]! 25 They say: "The Most Compassionate Lord has taken to Himself a son." Glory be to Him! Those whom they so designate are only His honoured servants. 26 They speak not until He has spoken, and they act on His Command. 27 He knows what is [presently] before them and what will be after them, and they cannot intercede except on behalf of one whom He approves. And they, from fear of Him, are apprehensive. 28 ۞ If any of them says, 'I am a god apart from Him', such a one We recompense with Gehenna; even so We recompense the evildoers. 29