And indeed We sent Nooh and Ibrahim, and placed Prophethood and the Book among their descendants, so some among them took to guidance; and many of them are sinners. 26 Thereafter in their footsteps We caused Our apostles to follow, and We caused Isa, son of Maryam, to follow them, and We vouchsafed unto him the Injil, and We placed in the hearts of those who followed him tenderness and mercy. And asceticism! they innovated it - We prescribed it not for them, only seeking Allah's pleasure, yet they tended it not with tendence due thereto. So We vouchsafed unto such of them as believed their hire, and many of them are transgressors. 27 Believers, have fear of God and believe in His Messenger. God will grant you a double share of mercy, a light by which you can walk, and forgive your sins. God is All-forgiving and All-merciful. 28 that the People of the Book may know that they have no power over anything of God's bounty, and that bounty is in the hand of God; He gives it unto whomsoever He will; and God is of bounty abounding. 29