:23. Just in the same way, whenever We sent a Warner before thee to any people, the wealthy ones among them said: "We found our fathers following a certain religion, and we will certainly follow in their footsteps."
:24. He said: "What! Even if I brought you better guidance than that which ye found your fathers following?" They said: "For us, we deny that ye (prophets) are sent (on a mission at all)."
:25. So We exacted retribution from them: now see what was the end of those who rejected (Truth)!
:26. Behold! Abraham said to his father and his people: "I do indeed clear myself of what ye worship:
:27. "(I worship) only Him Who made me, and He will certainly guide me."
:28. And he left it as a Word to endure among those who came after him, that they may turn back (to Allah).
: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 a messenger 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,
