In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

29. Yea, I have given the good things of this life to these (men) and their fathers, until the Truth has come to them, and an apostle making things clear.

30. But when the Truth came to them, they said: "This is sorcery, and we do reject it."

31. Also, they say: "Why is not this Qur'an sent down to some leading man in either of the two (chief) cities?"

32. Is it they who would portion out the Mercy of thy Lord? It is We Who portion out between them their livelihood in the life of this world: and We raise some of them above others in ranks, so that some may command work from others. But the Mercy of thy Lord is better than the (wealth) which they amass.

33. And were it not that (all) men might become of one (evil) way of life, We would provide, for everyone that blasphemes against ((Allah)) Most Gracious, silver roofs for their houses and (silver) stair-ways on which to go up,

34. And (silver) doors to their houses, and thrones (of silver) on which they could recline,

35. And also adornments of gold. But all this were nothing but conveniences of the present life: The Hereafter, in the sight of thy Lord is for the Righteous.

36. If anyone withdraws himself from remembrance of ((Allah)) Most Gracious, We appoint for him an evil one, to be an intimate companion to him.

37. Such (evil ones) really hinder them from the Path, but they think that they are being guided aright!

38. At length, when (such a one) comes to Us, he says (to his evil companion): "Would that between me and thee were the distance of East and West!" Ah! evil is the companion (indeed)!

39. When ye have done wrong, it will avail you nothing, that Day, that ye shall be partners in Punishment!

40. Canst thou then make the deaf to hear, or give direction to the blind or to such as (wander) in manifest error?

41. Even if We take thee away, We shall be sure to exact retribution from them,

42. Or We shall show thee that (accomplished) which We have promised them: for verily We shall prevail over them.

43. So hold thou fast to the Revelation sent down to thee; verily thou art on a Straight Way.

44. The (Qur'an) is indeed the message, for thee and for thy people; and soon shall ye (all) be brought to account.

45. And question thou our apostles whom We sent before thee; did We appoint any deities other than ((Allah)) Most Gracious, to be worshipped?

46. We did send Moses aforetime, with Our Signs, to Pharaoh and his Chiefs: He said, "I am an apostle of the Lord of the Worlds."

47. But when he came to them with Our Signs, behold they ridiculed them.

48. We showed them Sign after Sign, each greater than its fellow, and We seized them with Punishment, in order that they might turn (to Us).

49. And they said, "O thou sorcerer! Invoke thy Lord for us according to His covenant with thee; for we shall truly accept guidance."

50. But when We removed the Penalty from them, behold, they broke their word.

51. And Pharaoh proclaimed among his people, saying: "O my people! Does not the dominion of Egypt belong to me, (witness) these streams flowing underneath my (palace)? What! see ye not then?

52. "Am I not better than this (Moses), who is a contemptible wretch and can scarcely express himself clearly?

53. "Then why are not gold bracelets bestowed on him, or (why) come (not) with him angels accompanying him in procession?"

54. Thus did he make fools of his people, and they obeyed him: truly were they a people rebellious (against Allah..

55. When at length they provoked Us, We exacted retribution from them, and We drowned them all.

56. And We made them (a people) of the Past and an Example to later ages.

Translation by Abdullah Yusufali