_There hath been_ no nation, but a preacher hath in past times been _conversant_ among them: if they charge thee with imposture, they who were before them likewise charged _their apostles_ with imposture. Their apostles came unto them with evident _miracles_, and with _divine_ writings, and with the Enlightening Book: afterwards I chastised those who were unbelievers; and how _severe_ was my vengeance! Dost thou not see that GOD sendeth down rain from heaven, and that we thereby produce fruits of various colors? In the mountains also _there are_ some tracts white and red, of various colors; and _others are_ of a deep black: and of men, and beasts, and cattle _there are_ whose colors _are_ in like manner various. Such only of his servants fear GOD as are endued with understanding: verily GOD _is_ mighty _and_ ready to forgive. Verily they who read the book of GOD, and are constant at prayer, and give alms out of what we have bestowed on them, _both_ in secret and openly, hope for a merchandise which shall not perish: that _God_ may fully pay them their wages, and make them a _superabundant_ addition of his liberality; for he _is_ ready to forgive _the faults of his servants, and_ to requite _their endeavors_. That which we have revealed unto thee of the book _of the Korân_ is the truth, confirming the _scriptures_ which _were revealed_ before it: for GOD knoweth _and_ regardeth his servants. And we have given the book _of the Korân_ in heritage unto such of our servants as we have chosen: of them _there is one_ who injureth his own soul; and _there is another_ of them who keepeth the middle way; and _there is another_ of them who outstrippeth _others_ in good _works_, by the permission of GOD. This is the great excellence. They shall be introduced into gardens of perpetual abode; they shall be adorned therein with bracelets of gold, and pearls, and their clothing therein _shall be_ of silk: and they shall say, Praise be unto GOD, who hath taken away sorrow from us! verily our LORD _is_ ready to forgive _the sinners_, and to reward _the obedient_: who hath caused us to take up our rest in a dwelling of _eternal_ stability, through his bounty, wherein no labor shall touch us, neither shall any weariness affect us. But for the unbelievers _is prepared_ the fire of hell: it shall not be decreed them to die _a second time_; neither shall _any part_ of the punishment thereof be made lighter unto them. Thus shall every infidel be rewarded. And they shall cry out aloud in _hell, saying,_ LORD, take us hence, and we will work righteousness, and not what we have _formerly_ wrought. _But it shall be answered them_, Did we not grant you lives of length sufficient, that whoever would be warned might be warned therein; and did not the preacher come unto you? Taste therefore _the pains of hell_. And the unjust shall have no protector. Verily GOD knoweth the secrets _both_ of heaven and earth, for he knoweth the innermost parts of the breasts _of men_.