Blessed is He who, if He willed, could have made for you [something] better than that - gardens beneath which rivers flow - and could make for you palaces. 10 Nay, but they deny (the coming of) the Hour, and for those who deny (the coming of) the Hour We have prepared a flame. 11 When it will see them from afar, they will hear the sounds of its raging and roaring. 12 When they are thrown, bound, into a narrow place therein, then only will they wish for their death. 13 [They will be told], "Do not cry this Day for one destruction but cry for much destruction." 14 Ask them: "Is this better or a garden for everlasting abode which has been promised the pious and devout? It would be their guerdon and their destination. 15 Theirs therein shall be all that they wish for, as abiders; a promise from thy Lord to be asked for. 16 And [mention] the Day He will gather them and that which they worship besides Allah and will say, "Did you mislead these, My servants, or did they [themselves] stray from the way?" 17 They will answer: "Glory to You. It was not worthy of us to seek any protector other than You. But You allowed them and their fathers a life of ease until they turned oblivious of the Reminder. They were a people impenitent. 18 Thus will your gods deny alI that you are professing today. Then you shall neither be able to repel your punishment nor shall get any help from anywhere; and whoso is guilty. of iniquity'' among you, We shall make him taste a severe torment. 19 We never sent before you apostles who did not eat food and walk the market places. We make some of you the means of trying the others. So will you persevere? Your Lord is always watching. 20