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007.161 And remember it was said to them: "Dwell in this town and eat therein as ye wish, but say the word of humility
and enter the gate in a posture of humility: We shall forgive you your faults; We shall increase (the portion of) those
who do good."
007.162 But the transgressors among them changed the word from that which had been given them so we sent on them
a plague from heaven. For that they repeatedly transgressed.
007.163 Ask them concerning the town standing close by the sea. Behold! they transgressed in the matter of the
Sabbath. For on the day of their Sabbath their fish did come to them, openly holding up their heads, but on the day they
had no Sabbath, they came not: thus did We make a trial of them, for they were given to transgression.
007.164 When some of them said: "Why do ye preach to a people whom God will destroy or visit with a terrible
punishment?"- said the preachers:" To discharge our duty to your Lord, and perchance they may fear Him."
007.165 When they disregarded the warnings that had been given them, We rescued those who forbade Evil; but We
visited the wrong-doers with a grievous punishment because they were given to transgression.
007.166 When in their insolence they transgressed (all) prohibitions, We said to them: "Be ye apes, despised and
rejected."
007.167 Behold! thy Lord did declare that He would send against them, to the Day of Judgment, those who would
afflict them with grievous penalty. Thy Lord is quick in retribution, but He is also Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.
007.168 We broke them up into sections on this earth. There are among them some that are the righteous, and some
that are the opposite. We have tried them with both prosperity and adversity: In order that they might turn (to us).
007.169 After them succeeded an (evil) generation: They inherited the Book, but they chose (for themselves) the
vanities of this world, saying (for excuse): "(Everything) will be forgiven us." (Even so), if similar vanities came their
way, they would (again) seize them. Was not the covenant of the Book taken from them, that they would not ascribe
to God anything but the truth? and they study what is in the Book. But best for the righteous is the home in the
Hereafter. Will ye not understand?
007.170 As to those who hold fast by the Book and establish regular prayer,- never shall We suffer the reward of the
righteous to perish.
007.171 When We shook the Mount over them, as if it had been a canopy, and they thought it was going to fall on them
(We said): "Hold firmly to what We have given you, and bring (ever) to remembrance what is therein; perchance ye may
fear God."
007.172 When thy Lord drew forth from the Children of Adam - from their loins - their descendants, and made them
testify concerning themselves, (saying): "Am I not your Lord (who cherishes and sustains you)?"- They said: "Yea! We
do testify!" (This), lest ye should say on the Day of Judgment: "Of this we were never mindful":
007.173 Or lest ye should say: "Our fathers before us may have taken false gods, but we are (their) descendants after
them: wilt Thou then destroy us because of the deeds of men who were futile?"
007.174 Thus do We explain the signs in detail; and perchance they may turn (unto Us).
007.175 Relate to them the story of the man to whom We sent Our signs, but he passed them by: so Satan followed
him up, and he went astray.
007.176 If it had been Our will, We should have elevated him with Our signs; but he inclined to the earth, and followed
his own vain desires. His similitude is that of a dog: if you attack him, he lolls out his tongue, or if you leave him alone,
he (still) lolls out his tongue. That is the similitude of those who reject Our signs; So relate the story; perchance they
may reflect.
007.177 Evil as an example are people who reject Our signs and wrong their own souls.
007.178 Whom God doth guide,- he is on the right path: whom He rejects from His guidance,- such are the persons
who perish.
007.179 Many are the Jinns and men we have made for Hell: They have hearts wherewith they understand not, eyes
wherewith they see not, and ears wherewith they hear not. They are like cattle,- nay more misguided: for they are
heedless (of warning).
007.180 The most beautiful names belong to God: so call on him by them; but shun such men as use profanity in his
names: for what they do, they will soon be requited.
007.181 Of those We have created are people who direct (others) with truth. And dispense justice therewith.