Captain Marryat - "The Little Savage"

Various - "Half Hours with Great Story Tellers"

Pierre Loti - "Madame Chrysantheme, v2"

Anatole France - "Monsieur Bergeret a Paris"

New Philadelphia Book Publisher Highlights Local Talent
Book and Publishing News from Publishers Newswire(tm)

Looking for Child to be on Cover of a New Book, 'The Model Child'
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. -- The Philadelphia literary world will celebrate the launch of two new players today, April 10th: Kay Square Press, a new publishing company focused on Philadelphia-area artists, their stories, and their art; and Kay Square's first release, 'With the Rich and Mighty: Emlen Etting of Philadelphia' (ISBN: 978-0-9815129-0-7), a critical biography by Kenneth C. Kaleta.

FlatSigned Press Alleges Don Imus Remarks Damage Legacy of President Gerald R. Ford
NEW YORK, N.Y. -- Nathan Yungerberg, an accomplished model scout and professional child photographer is launching a nation-wide casting call to find the cover model for his highly anticipated book release, 'The Model Child: A Parents Guide to the Child Modeling Industry' (ISBN: 978-0-9817018-0-6).

Books: The Koran (without footnotes)

U >> Unknown >> The Koran (without footnotes)






________


CHAPTER XII.

ENTITLED, JOSEPH; REVEALED AT MECCA.

IN THE NAME OF THE MOST MERCIFUL GOD.

A.L.R. These are the signs of the perspicuous book;
which we have sent down in the Arabic tongue, that, peradventure, ye
might understand.
We relate unto thee a most excellent history, by revealing unto thee this
Koran, whereas thou wast before one of the negligent.
When Joseph said unto his father, O my father, verily I saw in my dream
eleven stars, and the sun and the moon; I saw them make obeisance unto me:
Jacob said, O my child, tell not thy vision to thy brethren, lest they
devise some plot against thee; for the devil is a professed enemy unto man;
and thus, according to thy dream, shall thy LORD choose thee, and teach
thee the interpretation of dark sayings, and he shall accomplish his favor
upon thee and upon the family of Jacob, as he hath formerly accomplished it
upon thy fathers Abraham and Isaac; for thy LORD is knowing and wise.
Surely in the history of Joseph and his brethren there are signs of GOD's
providence to the inquisitive;
when they said to one another, Joseph and his brother are dearer to our
father than we, who are the greater number: our father certainly maketh a
wrong judgment.
Wherefore slay Joseph, or drive him into some distant or desert part of
the earth, and the face of your father shall be cleared towards you; and ye
shall afterwards be people of integrity.
10 One of them spoke and said; Slay not Joseph, but throw him to the
bottom of the well; and some travellers will take him up, if ye do this.
They said unto Jacob, O father, why dost thou not intrust Joseph with us,
since we are sincere well-wishers unto him?
Send him with us to-morrow, into the field, that he may divert himself,
and sport, and we will be his guardians.
Jacob answered, It grieveth me that ye take him away; and I fear lest the
wolf devour him, while ye are negligent of him.
They said, Surely if the wolf devour him, when there are so many of us,
we shall be weak indeed.
And when they had carried him with them, and agreed to set him at the
bottom of the well, they executed their design: and we sent a revelation unto
him, saying, Thou shalt hereafter declare this their action unto them; and
they shall not perceive thee to be Joseph.
And they came to their father at even, weeping,
and said, Father, we went and ran races with one another, and we left
Joseph with our baggage, and the wolf hath devoured him; but thou wilt not
believe us, although we speak the truth.
And they produced his inner garment stained with false blood. Jacob
answered, Nay, but ye yourselves have contrived the thing for your own sakes:
however patience is most becoming, and GOD'S assistance is to be implored to
enable me to support the misfortune which ye relate.
And certain travellers came, and sent one to draw water for them; and
he let down his bucket, and said, Good news! this is a youth. And they
concealed him, that they might sell him as a piece of merchandise: but GOD
knew that which they did.
20 And they sold him for a mean price, for a few pence, and valued him
lightly.
And the Egyptian who bought him said to his wife, Use him honourably;
peradventure he may be serviceable to us, or we may adopt him for our son.
Thus did we prepare an establishment for Joseph in the earth, and we taught
him the interpretation of dark sayings: for GOD is well able to effect his
purpose; but the greater part of men do not understand.
And when he had attained his age of strength, we bestowed on him wisdom,
and knowledge; for thus do we recompense the righteous.
And she, in whose house he was, desired him to lie with her; and she shut
the doors and said, Come hither. He answered, GOD forbid! verily my lord
hath made my dwelling with him easy; and the ungrateful shall not prosper.
But she resolved within herself to enjoy him, and he would have resolved
to enjoy her, had he not seen the evident demonstration of his LORD. So we
turned away evil and filthiness from him, because he was one of our sincere
servants.
And they ran to get one before the other to the door; and she rent his
inner garment behind. And they met her lord at the door. She said, What
shall be the reward of him who seeketh to commit evil in thy family, but
imprisonment, and a painful punishment?
And Joseph said, She asked me to lie with her. And a witness of her
family bore witness, saying, If his garment be rent before, she speaketh
truth, and he is a liar:
but if his garment be rent behind, she lieth, and he is a speaker of
truth.
And when her husband saw that his garment was torn behind, he said, This
is a cunning contrivance of your sex; for surely your cunning is great.
O Joseph, take no farther notice of this affair: and thou, O woman, ask
pardon for thy crime; for thou art a guilty person.
30 And certain women said publicly in the city, The nobleman's wife asked
her servant to lie with her; he hath inflamed her breast with his love; and we
perceive her to be in manifest error.
And when she heard of their subtle behaviour, she sent unto them, and
prepared a banquet for them, and she gave to each of them a knife; and she
said unto Joseph, Come forth unto them. And when they saw him, they praised
him greatly; and they cut their own hands, and said, O GOD! this is not a
mortal; he is no other than an angel, deserving the highest respect.
And his mistress said, This is he, for whose sake ye blamed me: I asked
him to lie with me, but he constantly refused. But if he do not perform that
which I command him, he shall surely be cast into prison, and he shall be made
one of the contemptible.
Joseph said, O LORD, a prison is more eligible unto me than the crime to
which they invite me; but unless thou turn aside their snares from me, I shall
youthfully incline unto them, and I shall become one of the foolish.
Wherefore his LORD heard him, and turned aside their snare from him; for
he both heareth and knoweth.
And it seemed good unto them even after they had seen the signs of
innocency, to imprison him for a time.
And there entered into the prison with him two of the king's servants.
One of them said, it seemed to me in my dream that I pressed wine out of
grapes. And the other said, It seemed unto me in my dream that I carried
bread on my head, whereof the birds did eat. Declare unto us the
interpretation of our dreams, for we perceive that thou art a beneficent
person.
Joseph answered, No food, wherewith ye may be nourished, shall come unto
you, but I will declare unto you the interpretation thereof, before it come
unto you. This knowledge is a part of that which my LORD hath taught me: for
I have left the religion of people who believe not in GOD, and who deny the
life to come;
and I follow the religion of my fathers, Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob.
It is not lawful for us to associate anything with GOD. This knowledge of the
divine unity hath been given us of the bounty of GOD towards us, and towards
mankind; but the greater part of men are not thankful.
O my fellow-prisoners, are sundry lords better, or the only true and
mighty GOD?
40 Ye worship not, besides him other than the names which ye have named,
ye and your fathers, concerning which GOD hath sent down no authoritative
proof: yet judgment belongeth unto GOD alone; who hath commanded that ye
worship none besides him. This is the right religion; but the greater part of
men know it not.
O my fellow-prisoners, verily the one of you shall serve wine unto his
lord, as formerly; but the other shall be crucified, and the birds shall eat
from off his head. The matter is decreed, concerning which ye seek to be
informed.
And Joseph said unto him whom he judged to be the person who should
escape of the two, Remember me in the presence of thy lord. But the devil
caused him to forget to make mention of Joseph unto his lord; wherefore he
remained in the prison some years.
And the king of Egypt said, Verily, I saw in my dream seven fat kine,
which seven lean kine devoured, and seven green ears of corn, and other seven
withered ears. O nobles, expound my vision unto me, if ye be able to
interpret a vision.
They answered, They are confused dreams, neither are we skilled in the
interpretation of such kind of dreams.
And Joseph's fellow-prisoner who had been delivered, said, (for he
remembered Joseph after a certain space of time,) I will declare unto you the
interpretation thereof; wherefore let me go unto the person who will interpret
it unto me.
And he went to the prison, and said, O Joseph, thou man of veracity,
teach us the interpretation of seven fat kine, which seven lean kine devoured;
and of seven green ears of corn, and other seven withered ears, which the king
saw in his dream; that I may return unto the men who have sent me, that
peradventure they may understand the same.
Joseph answered, Ye shall sow seven years as usual: and the corn which ye
shall reap, do ye leave in its ear, except a little whereof ye may eat.
Then shall there come, after this, seven grievous years of famine, which
shall consume what ye shall have laid up as a provision for the same, except a
little which ye shall have kept.
Then shall there come, after this, a year wherein men shall have plenty
of rain, and wherein they shall press wine and oil.
50 And when the chief butler had reported this, the king said, Bring him
unto me. And when the messenger came unto Joseph, he said, Return unto thy
lord, and ask of him, what was the intent of the women who cut their hands;
for my LORD well knoweth the snare which they laid for me.
And when the women were assembled before the king, he said unto them,
What was your design, when ye solicited Joseph to unlawful love? They
answered, GOD be praised! we know not any ill of him. The nobleman's wife
said, Now is the truth become manifest: I solicited him to lie with me; and he
is one of those who speak truth.
And when Joseph was acquainted therewith, he said, This discovery hath
been made, that my lord might know that I was not unfaithful unto him in his
absence, and that God directeth not the plot of the deceivers.
Neither do I absolutely justify myself: since every soul is prone unto
evil, except those on whom my LORD shall show mercy; for my LORD is gracious
and merciful.
And the king said, Bring him unto me: I will take him into my own
peculiar service. And when Joseph was brought unto the king, and he had
discoursed with him, he said, Thou art this day firmly established with us,
and shalt be intrusted with our affairs.
Joseph answered, Set me over the storehouses of the land; for I will be a
skilful keeper thereof.
Thus did we establish Joseph in the land, that he might provide himself a
dwelling therein, where he pleased. We bestow our mercy on whom we please,
and we suffer not the reward of the righteous to perish:
and certainly the reward of the next life is better, for those who
believe, and fear God.
Moreover, Joseph's brethren came, and went in unto him; and he knew
them, but they knew not him.
And when he had furnished them with their provisions, he said, Bring unto
me your brother, the son of your father; do ye not see that I give full
measure, and that I am the most hospitable receiver of guests?
60 But if ye bring him not unto me, there shall be no corn measured unto
you from me, neither shall ye approach my presence.
They answered, We will endeavour to obtain him of his father, and we will
certainly perform what thou requirest.
And Joseph said to his servants, Put their money, which they have paid
for their corn; into their sacks, that they may perceive it, when they shall
be returned to their family: peradventure they will come back unto us.
And when they were returned unto their father, they said, O father, it is
forbidden to measure out corn unto us any more, unless we carry our brother
Benjamin with us: wherefore send our brother with us, and we shall have corn
measured unto us; and we will certainly guard him from any mischance.
Jacob answered, Shall I trust him with you with any better success than I
trusted your brother Joseph with you heretofore? But GOD is the best
guardian; and he is the most merciful of those that show mercy.
And when they opened their provision, they found their money had been
returned unto them; and they said, O father, what do we desire farther? this
our money hath been returned unto us; we will therefore return, and provide
corn for our family: we will take care of our brother; and we shall receive a
camel's burden more than we did the last time. This is a small quantity.
Jacob said, I will by no means send him with you, until ye give me a
solemn promise, and swear by GOD that ye will certainly bring him back unto
me, unless ye be encompassed by some inevitable impediment. And when they
had given him their solemn promise, he said, GOD is witness of what we say.
And he said, My sons, enter not into the city by one and the same gate;
but enter by different gates. But this precaution will be of no advantage
unto you against the decree of GOD; for judgment belongeth unto GOD alone:
in him do I put my trust, and in him let those confide who seek in whom to put
their trust.
And when they entered the city, as their father had commanded them, it
was of no advantage unto them against the decree of GOD; and the same
served only to satisfy the desire of Jacob's soul, which he had charged them
to perform: for he was endued with knowledge of that which we had taught him;
but the greater part of men do not understand.
And when they entered into the presence of Joseph, he received his
brother Benjamin as his guest, and said, Verily I am thy brother, be not
therefore afflicted for that which they have committed against us.
70 And when he had furnished them with their provisions, he put his cup in
his brother Benjamin's sack. Then a crier cried after them, saying, O company
of travellers, ye are surely thieves.
They said, (and turned back unto them,) What is it that ye miss?
They answered, We miss the prince's cup: and unto him who shall produce
it, shall be given a camel's load of corn, and I will be surety for the same.
Joseph's brethren replied, By GOD, ye do well know, that we come not to
act corruptly in the land, neither are we thieves.
The Egyptians said, What shall be the reward of him, who shall appear to
have stolen the cup, if ye be found liars?
Joseph's brethren answered, As to the reward of him, in whose sack it
shall be found, let him become a bondman in satisfaction of the same: thus do
we reward the unjust, who are guilty of theft.
Then he began by their sacks, before he searched the sack of his
brother; and he drew out the cup from his brother's sack. Thus did we
furnish Joseph with a stratagem. It was not lawful for him to take his
brother for a bondman, by the law of the king of Egypt, had not GOD pleased
to allow it, according to the offer of his brethren. We exalt to degrees of
knowledge and honour whom we please: and there is one who is knowing above all
those who are endued with knowledge.
His brethren said, If Benjamin be guilty of theft, his brother Joseph
hath been also guilty of theft heretofore. But Joseph concealed these things
in his mind, and did not discover them unto them: and he said within himself,
Ye are in a worse condition than us two; and GOD best knoweth what ye
discourse about.
They said unto Joseph, Noble lord, verily this lad hath an aged father;
wherefore take one of us in his stead; for we perceive that thou art a
beneficent person.
Joseph answered, GOD forbid that we should take any other than him with
whom we found our goods; for then should we certainly be unjust.
80 And when they despaired of obtaining Benjamin, they retired to confer
privately together. And the elder of them said, Do ye not know that your
father hath received a solemn promise from you, in the name of GOD, and how
perfidiously ye behaved heretofore towards Joseph? Wherefore I will by no
means depart the land of Egypt, until my father give me leave to return unto
him, or GOD maketh known his will to me; for he is the best judge.
Return ye to your father, and say, O father, verily thy son hath
committed theft; we bear witness of no more than what we know, and we could
not guard against what we did not foresee:
and do thou inquire in the city, where we have been, and of the company
of merchants, with whom we are arrived, and thou wilt find that we speak the
truth.
And when they were returned, and had spoken thus to their father, he
said, Nay, but rather ye yourselves have contrived the thing for your own
sakes, but patience is most proper for me; peradventure GOD will restore them
all unto me; for he is knowing and wise.
And he turned from them and said, Oh how I am grieved for Joseph! And
his eyes became white with mourning, he being oppressed with deep sorrow.
His sons said, By GOD, thou wilt not cease to remember Joseph until thou
be brought to death's door, or thou be actually destroyed by excessive
affliction.
He answered, I only represent my grief, which I am not able to contain,
and my sorrow unto GOD, but I know by revelation from GOD that which ye
know not.
O my sons, go and make inquiry after Joseph and his brother; and despair
not of the mercy of GOD; for none despaireth of GOD's mercy, except the
unbelieving people.
Wherefore Joseph's brethren returned into Egypt: and when they came
into his presence, they said, Noble lord, the famine is felt by us and our family,
and we are come with a small sum of money: yet give unto us full measure,
and bestow corn upon us as alms; for GOD rewardeth the almsgivers.
Joseph said unto them, Do ye know what ye did unto Joseph and his
brother, when ye were ignorant of the consequences thereof?
90 They answered, Art thou really Joseph? He replied, I am Joseph; and
this is my brother. Now hath GOD been gracious unto us. For whoso feareth
God, and persevereth with patience, shall at length find relief; since GOD
will not suffer the reward of the righteous to perish.
They said, By GOD, now hath GOD chosen thee above us; and we have surely
been sinners.
Joseph answered, Let there be no reproach cast on you this day. GOD
forgiveth you; for he is the most merciful of those who show mercy.
Depart ye with this my inner garment, and throw it on my father's face;
and he shall recover his sight: and then come unto me with all your family.
And when the company of travellers was departed from Egypt on their
journey towards Canaan, their father said, unto those who were about him,
Verily I perceive the smell of Joseph; although ye think that I dote.
They answered, By GOD, thou art in thy old mistake.
But when the messenger of good tidings was come with Joseph's inner
garment, he threw it over his face; and he recovered his eyesight.
And Jacob said, Did I not tell you that I knew from GOD, that which ye
knew not?
They answered, O father, ask pardon of our sins for us, for we have
surely been sinners.
He replied, I will surely ask pardon for you of my LORD; for he is
gracious and merciful.
And when Jacob and his family arrived in Egypt, and were introduced unto
Joseph, he received his parents unto him, and said, Enter ye into Egypt, by
GOD'S favor, in full security.
100 And he raised his parents to the seat of state, and they, together with
his brethren, fell down and did obeisance unto him. And he said, O my father,
this is the interpretation of my vision, which I saw heretofore: now hath my
LORD rendered it true. And he hath surely been gracious unto me, since he
took me forth from the prison, and hath brought you hither from the desert;
after that the devil had sown discord between me any my brethren: for my
LORD is gracious unto whom he pleaseth; and he is the knowing, the wise God.
O LORD, thou hast given me a part of the kingdom, and hast taught me the
interpretation of dark sayings. The Creator of heaven and earth! thou art my
protector in this world, and in that which is to come: make me to die a
Moslem, and join me with the righteous.
This is a secret history which we reveal unto thee, O Mohammed, although
thou wast not present with the brethren of Joseph, when they concerted their
design, and contrived a plot against him.
But the greater part of men, although they earnestly desire it, will not
believe.
Thou shalt not demand of them any reward for thy publishing the Koran; it
is no other than an admonition unto all creatures.
And how many signs soever there be of the being, unity, and providence of
God, in the heavens and the earth; they will pass by them, and will retire
afar off from them.
And the greater part of them believe not in GOD, without being also
guilty of idolatry.
Do they not believe that some overwhelming affliction shall fall on them,
as a punishment from GOD; or that the hour of judgment shall overtake them
suddenly, when they consider not its approach?
Say unto those of Mecca, This is my way: I invite you unto GOD, by an
evident demonstration; both I and he who followeth me; and, praise be unto
GOD! I am not an idolater.
We sent not any apostles before thee, except men, unto whom we revealed
our will, and whom we chose out of those who dwelt in cities. Will they not
go through the earth, and see what hath been the end of those who have
preceded them? But the dwelling of the next life shall surely be better for
those who fear God. Will they not therefore understand?
110 Their predecessors were borne with for a time, until, when our apostles
despaired of their conversion, and they thought that they were liars, our help
came unto them, and we delivered whom we pleased; but our vengeance was not
turned away from the wicked people.
Verily in the histories of the prophets and their people, there is an
instructive example unto those who are endued with understanding. The Koran
is not a new invented fiction: but a confirmation of those scriptures which
have been revealed before it, and a distinct explication of everything
necessary in respect either to faith or practice, and a direction and mercy
unto people who believe.



________


CHAPTER XIII.

ENTITLED, THUNDER; REVEALED AT MECCA.

IN THE NAME OF THE MOST MERCIFUL GOD.

A.L.M.R. These are the signs of the book of the Koran: and that which
hath been sent down unto thee from thy LORD is the truth; but the greater part
of men will not believe.
It is GOD who hath raised the heavens without visible pillars; and then
ascended his throne, and compelled the sun and the moon to perform their
services; every of the heavenly bodies runneth an appointed course. He
ordereth all things. He showeth his signs distinctly, that ye may be assured
ye must meet your LORD at the last day.
It is he who hath stretched forth the earth, and placed therein steadfast
mountains, and rivers; and hath ordained therein of every fruit two different
kinds. He causeth the night to cover the day. Herein are certain signs unto
people who consider.
And in the earth are tracts of land of different natures, though
bordering on each other; and also vineyards, and seeds, and palm-trees
springing several from the same root, and singly from distinct roots. They
are watered with the same water, yet we render some of them more excellent
than others to eat. Herein are surely signs unto people who understand.
If thou dost wonder at the infidels denying the resurrection, surely
wonderful is their saying, After we shall have been reduced to dust, shall we
be restored in a new creature? These are they who believe not in their LORD:
these shall have collars on their necks, and these shall be the inhabitants of
hell fire: therein shall they abide for ever.
They will ask of thee to hasten evil rather than good: although there
have already been examples of the divine vengeance before them. Thy LORD is
surely endued with indulgence towards men, notwithstanding their iniquity; but
thy LORD is also severe in punishing.
The infidels say, Unless a sign be sent down unto him from his LORD, we
will not believe. Thou art commissioned to be a preacher only, and not a
worker of miracles: and unto every people hath a director been appointed.
GOD knoweth what every female beareth in her womb; and what the wombs
want or exceed of their due time, or number of young. With him is everything
regulated according to a determined measure.
He knoweth that which is hidden, and that which is revealed. He is the
great, the most high.
10 He among you who concealeth his words, and he who proclaimeth them in
public; he also who seeketh to hide himself in the night, and he who goeth
forth openly in the day, is equal in respect to the knowledge of God.
Each of them hath angels mutually succeeding each other, before him, and
behind him; they watch him by the command of GOD. Verily GOD will not change
his grace which is in men, until they change the disposition in their souls by
sin. When GOD willeth evil on a people there shall be none to avert it;
neither shall they have any protector beside him.
It is he who causeth the lightning to appear unto you, to strike fear,
and to raise hope, and who formeth the pregnant clouds.
The thunder celebrateth his praise, and the angels also, for fear of
him. He sendeth his thunderbolts, and striketh therewith whom he pleaseth,
while they dispute concerning GOD; for he is mighty in power.
It is he who ought of right to be invoked; and the idols, which they
invoke besides him, shall not hear them at all; otherwise than as he is heard,
who stretcheth forth his hands to the water that it may ascend to his mouth,
when it cannot ascend thither: the supplication of the unbelievers is utterly
erroneous.
Whatsoever is in heaven and on earth worshippeth GOD, voluntarily or of
force; and their shadows also, morning and evening.
Say, Who is the LORD of heaven and earth? Answer, GOD. Say, Have ye,
therefore, taken unto yourselves protectors beside him, who are unable either
to help, or to defend themselves from hurt? Say, Shall the blind and the
seeing be esteemed equal? or shall darkness and light be accounted the same?
or have they attributed companions unto GOD who have created as he hath
created, so that their creation bear any resemblance unto his? Say, GOD is
the creator of all things; he is the one, the victorious God.
He causeth water to descend from heaven, and the brooks flow according to
their respective measure, and the floods bear the floating froth: and from the
metals which they melt in the fire, seeking to cast ornaments or vessels for
use, there ariseth a scum like unto it. Thus GOD setteth forth truth and
vanity. But the scum is thrown off, and that which is useful to mankind
remaineth on the earth. Thus doth GOD put forth parables.
Unto those who obey their LORD shall be given the most excellent reward:
but those who obey him not, although they were possessed of whatever is in
the whole earth and as much more, they would give it all for their ransom.
These will be brought to a terrible account: their abode shall be hell; an unhappy
couch shall it be!
Shall he, therefore, who knoweth that what hath been sent down unto thee
from thy LORD, is truth, be rewarded as he who is blind? The prudent only
will consider;
20 who fulfil the covenant of GOD, and break not their contract;
and who join that which GOD hath commanded to be joined, and who fear
their LORD, and dread an ill account;
and who persevere out of a sincere desire to please their LORD, and
observe the stated times of prayer, and give alms out of what we have bestowed
on them, in secret and openly, and who turn away evil with good: the reward of
these shall be paradise,
gardens of eternal abode, which they shall enter, and also whoever shall
have acted uprightly, of their fathers, and their wives, and their posterity:
and the angels shall go in unto them by every gate,
saying, Peace be upon you, because ye have endured with patience; how
excellent a reward is paradise!
But as for those who violate the covenant of GOD, after the establishment
thereof, and who cut in sunder that which GOD hath commanded to be joined, and
act corruptly in the earth, on them shall a curse fall, and they shall have a
miserable dwelling in hell.
GOD giveth provision in abundance unto whom he pleaseth, and is sparing
unto whom he pleaseth. Those of Mecca rejoice in the present life; although
the present life, in respect of the future, is but a precarious provision.
The infidels say, Unless a sign be sent down unto him from his LORD, we
will not believe. Answer, Verily, GOD will lead into error whom he pleaseth,
and will direct unto himself him who repenteth,
and those who believe, and whose hearts rest securely in the meditation
of GOD; shall not men's hearts rest securely in the meditation of GOD? They
who believe and do that which is right shall enjoy blessedness, and partake of
a happy resurrection.
30 Thus have we sent thee to a nation which other nations have preceded
unto whom prophets have likewise been sent, that thou mayest rehearse unto
them that which we have revealed unto thee, even while they believe not in the
merciful God. Say unto them, He is my LORD; there is no GOD but he: in him do
I trust, and unto him must I return.
Though a Koran were revealed by which mountains should be removed, or
the earth cleaved in sunder, or the dead be caused to speak, it would be in
vain. But the matter belongeth wholly unto GOD. Do not, therefore, the
believers know, that if GOD pleased, he would certainly direct all men? Adversity
shall not cease to afflict the unbelievers for that which they have committed,
or to sit down near their habitations, until GOD'S promise come; for GOD is not
contrary to the promise.
Apostles before thee have been laughed to scorn; and I permitted the
infidels to enjoy a long and happy life: but afterwards I punished them; and
how severe was the punishment which I inflicted on them!
Who is it, therefore, that standeth over every soul, to observe that
which it committeth? They attribute companions unto GOD. Say, Name them:
will ye declare unto him that which he knoweth not in the earth? or will ye
name them in outward speech only? But the deceitful procedure of the
infidels was prepared for them; and they are turned aside from the right path:
for he whom GOD shall cause to err, shall have no director.
They shall suffer a punishment in this life; but the punishment of the
next shall be more grievous: and there shall be none to protect them against
GOD.
This is the description of paradise, which is promised to the pious. It
is watered by rivers; its food is perpetual, and its shade also: this shall be
the reward of those who fear God. But the reward of the infidels shall be
hell fire. Those to whom we have given the scriptures, rejoice at what hath
been revealed unto thee. Yet there are some of the confederates who deny
part thereof. Say unto them, Verily I am commanded to worship GOD alone;
and to give him no companion: upon him do I call, and unto him shall I return.
To this purpose have we sent down the Koran a rule of judgment, in the
Arabic language. And verily, if thou follow their desires, after the
knowledge which hath been given thee, there shall be none to defend or protect
thee against GOD.
We have formerly sent apostles before thee, and bestowed on them wives
and children; and no apostle had the power to come with a sign, unless by the
permission of GOD. Every age hath its book of revelation:
GOD shall abolish and shall confirm what he pleaseth. With him is the
original of the book.
40 Moreover, whether we cause thee to see any part of that punishment
wherewith we have threatened them, or whether we cause thee to die before
it be inflicted on them, verily unto thee belongeth preaching only, but unto us
inquisition.
Do they not see that we come into their land, and straighten the borders
thereof, by the conquests of the true believers? When GOD judgeth, there is
none to reverse his judgment: and he will be swift in taking an account.
Their predecessors formerly devised subtle plots against their prophets;
but GOD is master of every subtle device. He knoweth that which every soul
deserveth: and the infidels shall surely know, whose will be the reward of
paradise.
The unbelievers will say, Thou art not sent of God. Answer, GOD is a
sufficient witness between me and you, and he who understandeth the
scriptures.