And (as to) those who disbelieve in the communications of Allah and His meeting, they have despaired of My mercy, and these it is that shall have a painful punishment. 23 So naught was the answer of his people except that they said: Slay him or burn him; then Allah delivered him from the fire; most surely there are signs in this for a people who believe. 24 And he said, 'You have only taken to yourselves idols, apart from God, as a mark of mutual love between you in the present life; then upon the Day of Resurrection you will deny one another, and you will curse one another, and your refuge will be the Fire, and you will have no helpers.' 25 ۞ And Lut believed in Him, and he said: I am fleeing to my Lord, surely He is the Mighty, the Wise. 26 So We bestowed on him Isaac and Jacob and gave his progeny prophethood and scripture, and rewarded him in this world, and in the next he will be among the upright. 27 And (remember) Lot when he said to his people: "You indulge in lecherous acts which none of the creatures had done before you. 28 Do you engage in carnal relations with men, rob the travellers, and commit evil in your gatherings? His people had no answer but to say, "Bring upon us the torment of God if you are truthful". 29 "O Lord, help me against the wicked people,"(Lot) prayed. 30