How many a town (community), that were wrong-doers, have We destroyed, and raised up after them another people! 11 Then, when they perceived Our chastisement they took to their heels and fled. 12 They were told, "Do not try to flee, but return to the comfort and luxuries in which you exulted and to the places where you lived, so that you may be questioned." 13 They said: O woe to us! surely we were unjust. 14 And this their crying ceased not till We made them as reaped corn, extinct. 15 And We have not created the heavens and the earth and all that is between them, unnecessarily. 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 on earth. And those who are near Him (i.e. the angels) are not too proud to worship Him, nor are they weary (of His worship). 19 They celebrate His praises night and day, nor do they ever flag or intermit. 20 Have they appointed from the earth, Gods that create something? 21 Had there been within the heavens and earth gods besides Allah, they both would have been ruined. So exalted is Allah, Lord of the Throne, above what they describe. 22 He cannot be questioned about what He does, but they will be questioned. 23 Or have they taken gods apart from Him? Say: 'Bring your proof! This is the Remembrance of him who is with me, and the Remembrance of those before me. Nay, but the most part of them know not the truth, so therefore they are turning away. 24 Not a messenger did We send before thee without this inspiration sent by Us to him: that there is no god but I; therefore worship and serve Me. 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 precede Him not in words, and by His command they work. 27 He knows what is before them, and what is behind them, and they cannot intercede except for him with whom He is pleased. And they stand in awe for fear of Him. 28 ۞ Whoever of them should say, "I am a deity besides Him," shall be requited with Hell. Thus do We reward the wrongdoers. 29