۞ We have conveyed Our Word to them, in succession, so that they may give heed. 51 Those unto whom We gave the Scripture before it, they believe in it, 52 and, when it is recited to them, they say, "We believe in it. Indeed it is the truth from our Lord. Even before it came, we had submitted ourselves." 53 These will be given their recompense twice, for they persevered and repelled evil with good, and spent of what We had given them. 54 And when they hear vain discourse they withdraw therefrom and say: unto us our works, and unto you your works; peace be unto you; we seek not the ignorant. 55 Verily thou shalt not guide whomsoever thou lovest, but Allah shall guide whomsoever He will. And He knoweth best who are the guided. 56 Now some say: "If we were to follow the guidance to which thou invitest us, we would be torn away from our very soil!" Why - have We not established for them a sanctuary secure, to which, as a provision from Us, shall be gathered the fruits of all (good) things? But most of them are unaware [of this truth]. 57 How many a village have We destroyed that were ungrateful in their life! Those are their dwellings, (they are) uninhabited after them except for a little; We are the inheritors. 58 Yet, withal, thy Sustainer would never destroy a community without having [first] raised in its midst an apostle who would convey unto them Our messages; and never would We destroy a community unless its people are wont to do wrong [to one another]. 59 Whatever you are given in this life is nothing but a temporary provision of this life and its glitter; what God has is better and more lasting. Will you not then understand? 60