۞ O you who believe, do not follow in the footsteps of Satan, and whoever follows in the footsteps of Satan should know that he enjoins only indecency and evil. But for the grace of God and His mercy upon you, not one of you would ever be purified; but God purifies whom He pleases. God is all hearing and all knowing. 21 Hence, [even if they have been wronged by slander,] let not those of you who have been graced with God's favour and ease of life ever become remiss in helping [the erring ones among] their near of kin, and the needy, and those who have forsaken the domain of evil for the sake of God, but let them pardon and forbear. [For,] do you not desire that God should forgive you your sins, seeing that God is much-forgiving, a dispenser of grace? 22 Surely those who accuse chaste believing women, unaware (of the evil), are cursed in this world and the hereafter, and they shall have a grievous chastisement. 23 On the Day when their tongues, hands and feet shall testify against them concerning what they were doing. 24 God will pay them on that day their just due in full, and they will come to know that God is the tangible Reality. 25 Vile women are for vile men, and vile men are for vile women, and clean women are for clean men, and clean men are for clean women; these are quit of that which the people say: for them is forgiveness and a provision honoured. 26