How many a town has disobeyed its Lord and His Messenger! For them Our questioning was strict and Our punishment severe. 8 So it tasted the evil result of its conduct, and the end of its affair was perdition. 9 Allah has prepared for them severe chastisement, therefore be careful of (your duty to) Allah, O men of understanding who believe! Allah has indeed revealed to you a reminder, 10 An Apostle who recites before you the explicating revelations of God that He may bring those who believe and do the right out of darkness into light. Whosoever believes in God and does the right, He will admit into gardens with rivers flowing by, where they will abide for ever. How excellent a provision has God made for him 11 GOD is He who has created seven heavens, and like them, [the many aspects] of the earth. Through all of them flows down from on high, unceasingly, His [creative] will, so that you might come to know that God has the power to will anything, and that God encompasses all things with His knowledge. 12