And when Abraham said to his father and his people, 'Surely I am quit of that you serve, 26 Save Him Who created me, for surely He will guide me. 27 And he made it a word to continue in his posterity that they may return. 28 Yes, I gave the good things of this life to these [men] and their fathers, until the truth came to them, and a messenger expounding things clearly, 29 When the truth came to them, they said, "This is magic and we have no faith in it". 30 And they say, too, "Why was not this Qur'an bestowed from on high on some great man of the two cities?" 31 Shall they apportion their Lord's mercy? It is We Who have apportioned among them their livelihood in the life of the world, and raised some of them over others in degrees, so that one of them may take another as a serf; and the mercy of thy Lord is better than that which they amass. 32 And were it not that [with the prospect of boundless riches before them] all people would become one [evil] community, We might indeed have provided for those who [now] deny the Most Gracious roofs of silver for their houses, and [silver] stairways whereon to ascend, 33 And for their houses doors (of silver) and couches of silver whereon to recline, 34 And (other) embellishments of gold; and all this is naught but provision of this world's life, and the hereafter is with your Lord only for those who guard (against evil). 35