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| 23. Even so WE never sent any Warner before thee to any township, but the wealthy ones among them said, `We found our fathers following a certain course, and we are following in their footsteps.' 24. Their Messenger said, `What ! even though I bring you a better guidance than that which you found your fathers following ?' They said, `Certainly we disbelieve in that which you are sent with.' 25. So WE exacted retribution from them. Then see what was the end of those who rejected the Prophets ! 26. And call to mind when Abraham said to his father, and his people, `I do, indeed, disown what you worship, 27. `Except HIM Who created me, and HE will, surely, guide me.' 28. And he left this as a permanent legacy among his posterity, that they might turn to God. 29. Nay, but I bestowed upon these disbelievers and their fathers worldly provision until there comes to them the truth and a Messenger who makes his Message clear. 30. But when the truth came to them they said, `This is sorcery and we do reject it.' 31. And they say, `Why has not the Qur'an been sent to some great man of the two towns ?' 32. Are they then the distributors of the mercy of thy Lord ? It is WE Who distribute among them their livelihood in the present life, and WE exalt some of them above others in degrees of rank, so that some of them may make others subservient to themselves. And the mercy of thy Lord is better than that which they amass. 33. And were it not that all mankind would have become one type of people, WE would have given to those who disbelieve in the Gracious God roofs of silver for their houses, and silver stairways by which they could ascend; |
