Helen Campbell - "Anne Bradstreet and Her Time"

F. W. Moorman - "Songs of the Ridings"

Samuel Richardson - "Pamela, or Virtue Rewarded"

Lafayette - "Memoirs of General Lafayette"

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 XXIX.

ENTITLED, THE SPIDER; REVEALED AT MECCA.

IN THE NAME OF THE MOST MERCIFUL GOD.

A.L.M.
Do men imagine that it shall be sufficient for them to say,
We believe; will they not be proved?
We heretofore proved those who were before them; for GOD will surely know
them who are sincere, and he will surely know the liars.
Do they who work evil think that they shall prevent us from taking
vengeance on them? An ill judgment do they make.
Whoso hopeth to meet GOD, verily GOD'S appointed time will certainly
come; and he both heareth and knoweth.
Whoever striveth to promote the true religion, striveth for the advantage
of his own soul; for GOD needeth not any of his creatures:
and as to those who believe and work righteousness, we will expiate their
evil deeds from them; and we will give them a reward according to the utmost
merit of their actions.
We have commanded man to show kindness towards his parents: but if they
endeavour to prevail with thee to associate with me that concerning which thou
hast no knowledge, obey them not. Unto me shall ye return; and I will
declare unto you what ye have done.
Those who shall believe, and shall work righteousness, we will surely
introduce into paradise, among the upright.
10 There are some men who say, We believe in GOD: but when such a one is
afflicted for GOD'S sake, he esteemeth the persecution of men to be as
grievous as the punishment of GOD. Yet if success cometh from thy LORD, they
say, Verily we are with you. Doth not GOD well know that which is in the
breasts of his creatures?
Verily GOD well knoweth the true believers, and he well knoweth the
hypocrites.
The unbelievers say unto those who believe, Follow our way, and we will
bear your sins. Howbeit they shall not bear any part of their sins; for they
are liars:
but they shall surely bear their own burdens, and other burdens besides
their own burdens; and they shall be examined, on the day of resurrection,
concerning that which they have falsely devised.
We heretofore sent Noah unto his people; and he tarried among them one
thousand years, save fifty years: and the deluge took them away, while they
were acting unjustly;
but we delivered him and those who were in the ark, and we made the same
a sign unto all creatures.
We also sent Abraham; when he said unto his people, Serve GOD, and fear
him; this will be better for you; if ye understand.
Ye only worship idols besides GOD, and forge a lie. Verily those which
ye worship, besides GOD, are not able to make any provision for you: seek
therefore your provision from GOD; and serve him, and give thanks unto him;
unto him shall ye return.
If he charge me with imposture, verily sundry nations before you
likewise charged their prophets with imposture: but public preaching only is
incumbent on an apostle.
Do they not see how GOD produceth creatures, and afterwards restoreth
them? Verily this is easy with GOD.
20 Say, go through the earth, and see how he originally produceth creatures:
afterwards will GOD reproduce another production; for GOD is almighty.
He will punish whom he pleaseth, and he will have mercy on whom he
pleaseth. Before him shall ye be brought at the day of judgment:
and ye shall not escape his reach, either in earth, or in heaven:
neither shall ye have any patron or defender besides GOD.
As for those who believe not in the signs of GOD, or that they shall meet
him at the resurrection, they shall despair of my mercy, and for them is a
painful punishment prepared.
And the answer of his people was no other than that they said, Slay him,
or burn him. But GOD saved him from the fire. Verily herein were signs unto
people who believed.
And Abraham said, Ye have taken idols, besides GOD, to cement affection
between you in this life: but on the day of resurrection, the one of you shall
deny the other, and the one of you shall curse the other; and your abode shall
be hell fire, and there shall be none to deliver you.
And Lot believed on him. And Abraham said, Verily I fly from my people,
unto the place which my LORD hath commanded me; or he is the mighty, the wise.
And we gave him Isaac and Jacob; and we placed among his descendants the
gift of prophecy and the scriptures: and we gave him his reward in this world;
and in the next he shall be one of the righteous.
We also sent Lot; when he said unto his people, Do ye commit filthiness
which no creature hath committed before you?
Do ye approach lustfully unto men, and lay wait in the highways, and
commit wickedness in your assembly? And the answer of his people was no
other than that they said, Bring down the vengeance of GOD upon us, if thou
speakest truth.
30 Lot said, O LORD, defend me against the corrupt people.
And when our messengers came unto Abraham with good tidings, they said,
We will surely destroy the inhabitants of this city: for the inhabitants
thereof are unjust doers.
Abraham answered, Verily Lot dwelleth there. They replied, We well know
who dwelleth therein: we will surely deliver him and his family, except his
wife; she shall be one of those who remain behind.
And when our messengers came unto Lot, he was troubled for them, and his
arm was straitened concerning them. But they said, Fear not, neither be
grieved; for we will deliver thee and thy family, except thy wife; for she
shall be one of those who remain behind.
We will surely bring down upon the inhabitants of this city vengeance
from heaven, for that they have been wicked doers;
and we have left thereof a manifest sign unto people who understand.
And unto the inhabitants of Madian we sent their brother Shoaib; and he
said unto them, O my people, serve GOD, and expect the last day; and
transgress not, acting corruptly in the earth.
But they accused him of imposture; wherefore a storm from heaven
assailed them, and in the morning they were found in their dwellings dead and
prostrate.
And we also destroyed the tribes of Ad, and Thamud; and this is well
known unto you from what yet remains of their dwellings. And Satan prepared
their works for them, and turned them aside from the way of truth, although
they were sagacious people.
And we likewise destroyed Karun, and Pharaoh, and Haman. Moses came unto
them with evident miracles, and they behaved themselves insolently in the
earth: but they could not escape our vengeance.
40 Every of them did we destroy in his sin. Against some of them we sent a
violent wind: some of them did a terrible noise from heaven destroy: some of
them did we cause the earth to swallow up:k and some of them we drowned.
Neither was GOD disposed to treat them unjustly; but they dealt unjustly with
their own souls.
The likeness of those who take other patrons besides GOD is as the
likeness of the spider, which maketh herself a house: but the weakest of all
houses surely is the house of the spider; if they knew this.
Moreover GOD knoweth what things they invoke, besides him; and he is the
mighty, the wise.
These similitudes do we propound unto men: but none understand them,
except the wise.
GOD hath created the heavens and the earth in truth; verily herein is a
sign unto the true believers.
Rehearse that which hath been revealed unto thee of the book of the
Koran: and be constant at prayer; for prayer preserveth a man from filthy
crimes, and from that which is blamable; and the remembering of GOD is surely
a most important duty. GOD knoweth that which ye do.
Dispute not against those who have received the scriptures, unless in the
mildest manner; except against such of them as behave injuriously towards
you: and say, We believe in the revelation which hath been sent down unto us,
and also in that which hath been sent down unto you; our GOD and your GOD is
one, and unto him are we resigned.
Thus have we sent down the book of the Koran unto thee: and they unto
whom we have given the former scriptures believe therein; and of these
Arabians also there is who believeth therein: and none reject our signs,
except the obstinate infidels.
Thou couldest not read any book before this; neither couldest thou write
it with thy right hand: then had the gainsayers justly doubted of the divine
original thereof.
But the same is evident signs in the breasts of those who have received
understanding: for none reject our signs except the unjust.
50 They say, Unless a sign be sent down unto him from his LORD, we will not
believe. Answer, Signs are in the power of GOD alone; and I am no more than a
public preacher.
Is it not sufficient for them that we have sent down unto thee the book
of the Koran, to be read unto them? Verily herein is a mercy, and an
admonition unto people who believe.
Say GOD is a sufficient witness between me and you: he knoweth whatever
is in heaven and earth; and those who believe in vain idols, and deny GOD, they
shall perish.
They will urge thee to hasten the punishment which they defy thee to
bring down upon them: if there had not been a determined time for their
respite, the punishment had come upon them before this; but it shall surely
overtake them suddenly, and they shall not foresee it.
They urge thee to bring down vengeance swiftly upon them: but hell shall
surely encompass the unbelievers.
On a certain day their punishment shall suddenly assail them, both from
above them, and from under their feet; and God shall say, Taste ye the reward
of that which ye have wrought.
O my servants who have believed, verily my earth is spacious: wherefore
serve me.
Every soul shall taste death: afterwards shall ye return unto us;
and as for those who shall have believed, and wrought righteousness, we
will surely lodge them in the higher apartments of paradise; rivers shall flow
beneath them, and they shall continue therein forever. How excellent will be
the reward of the workers of righteousness;
who persevere with patience, and put their trust in their LORD!
60 How many beasts are there, which provide not their food? It is GOD who
provideth for them, and for you; and he both heareth and knoweth.
Verily, if thou ask the Meccans, who hath created the heavens and the
earth, and hath obliged the sun and the moon to serve in their courses? they
will answer, GOD. How therefore do they lie, in acknowledging of other gods?
GOD maketh abundant provision for such of his servants as he pleaseth;
and is sparing unto him, if he pleaseth: for GOD knoweth all things.
Verily if thou ask them, who sendeth rain from heaven, and thereby
quickeneth the earth, after it hath been dead? they will answer, GOD. Say,
GOD be praised! But the greater part of them do not understand.
This present life is no other than a toy, and a plaything; but the future
mansion of paradise is life indeed: if they knew this they would not prefer
the former to the latter.
When they sail in a ship, they call upon GOD, sincerely exhibiting unto
him the true religion: but when he bringeth them safe to land, behold, they
return to their idolatry;
to show themselves ungrateful for that which we have bestowed on them,
and that they may enjoy the delights of this life; but they shall hereafter
know the issue.
Do they not see that we have made the territory of Mecca an inviolable
and secure asylum, when men are spoiled in the countries round about them? Do
they therefore believe in that which is vain, and acknowledge not the goodness
of GOD?
But who is more unjust than he who deviseth a lie against GOD, or denieth
the truth, when it hath come unto him? Is there not in hell an abode for the
unbelievers?
Whoever do their utmost endeavour to promote our true religion, we will
direct them into our ways; for GOD is with the righteous.



________


CHAPTER XXX.

ENTITLED, THE GREEKS; REVEALED AT MECCA.

IN THE NAME OF THE MOST MERCIFUL GOD.

A.L.M.
THE Greeks have been overcome by the Persians,
in the nearest part of the land; but after their defeat, they shall
overcome the others in their turn,
within a few years. Unto GOD belongeth the disposal of this matter, both
for what is past, and for what is to come: and on that day shall the believers
rejoice
in the success granted by GOD; for he granteth success unto whom he
pleaseth, and he is the mighty, the merciful.
This is the promise of GOD: GOD will not act contrary to his promise: but
the greater part of men know not the veracity of GOD.
They know the outward appearance of this present life; but they are
careless as to the life to come.
Do they not consider within themselves that GOD hath not created the
heavens and the earth, and whatever is between them, otherwise than in truth,
and hath set them a determined period? Verily a great number of men reject
the belief of their future meeting their LORD at the resurrection.
Do they not pass through the earth, and see what hath been the end of
those who were before them? They excelled the Meccans in strength, and broke
up the earth, and inhabited it in greater affluence and prosperity than they
inhabit the same: and their apostles came unto them with evident miracles; and
GOD was not disposed to treat them unjustly, but they injured their own souls
by their obstinate infidelity;
10 and the end of those who had done evil was evil, because they charged the
signs of GOD with falsehood, and laughed the same to scorn.
GOD produceth creatures, and will hereafter restore them to life: then
shall ye return unto him.
And on the day whereon the hour shall come, the wicked shall be struck
dumb for despair;
and they shall have no intercessors from among the idols which they
associated with God. And they shall deny the false gods which they associated
with him.
On the day whereon the hour shall come, on that day shall the true
believers and the infidels be separated:
and they who shall have believed, and wrought righteousness, shall take
their pleasure in a delightful meadow;
but as for those who shall have disbelieved, and rejected our signs, and
the meeting of the next life, they shall be delivered up to punishment.
Wherefore glorify GOD, when the evening overtaketh you, and when ye rise
in the morning:
and unto him be praise in heaven and earth; and at sunset, and when ye
rest at noon.
He bringeth forth the living out of the dead, and he bringeth forth the
dead out of the living; and he quickeneth the earth after it hath been dead:
and in like manner shall ye be brought forth from your graves.
20 Of his signs one is, that he hath created you of dust; and behold, ye are
become men, spread over the face of the earth.
And of his signs another is, that he hath created you, out of
yourselves, wives, that ye may cohabit with them; and hath put love and
compassion between you: verily herein are signs unto people who consider.
And of his signs are also the creation of the heavens and the earth, and
the variety of your languages, and of your complexions: verily herein are
signs unto men of understanding.
And of his signs are your sleeping by night and by day, and your seeking
to provide for yourselves of his abundance: verily herein are signs unto
people who hearken.
Of his signs others are, that he showeth you the lightning, to strike
terror, and to give hope of rain, and that he sendeth down water from heaven,
and quickeneth thereby the earth, after it hath been dead; verily herein are
signs unto people who understand.
And of his signs this also is one, namely, that the heaven and the earth
stand firm at command: hereafter, when he shall call you out of the earth at
one summons, behold, ye shall come forth.
Unto him are subject whosoever are in the heavens and on earth: all are
obedient unto him.
It is he who originally produceth a creature, and afterwards restoreth
the same to life: and this is most easy with him. He justly challengeth the
most exalted comparison, in heaven and earth; and he is the mighty, the wise.
He propoundeth unto a comparison taken from yourselves. Have ye, among
the slaves whom your right hands possess, any partner in the substance which
we have bestowed on you, so that ye become equal sharers therein with them, or
that ye fear them as ye fear one another? Thus we distinctly explain our
signs, unto people who understand.
But those who act unjustly, by attributing companions unto God, follow
their own lusts, without knowledge: and who shall direct him whom GOD shall
cause to err? They shall have none to help them.
30 Wherefore be thou orthodox, and set thy face towards the true religion,
the institution of GOD, to which he hath created mankind disposed: there is no
change in what GOD hath created. This is the right religion; but the greater
part of men know it not.
And be ye turned unto him, and fear him, and be constant at prayer, and
be not idolaters.
Of those who have made a schism in their religion, and are divided into
various sects, every sect rejoice in their own opinion.
When adversity befalleth men, they call upon their LORD, turning unto
him: afterwards, when he hath caused them to taste of his mercy, behold, a
part of them associate other deities with their LORD:
to show themselves ungrateful for the favors which we have bestowed on
them. Enjoy therefore the vain pleasures of this life; but hereafter shall ye
know the consequence.
Have we sent down unto them any authority, which speaketh of the false
gods which they associate with him?
When we cause men to taste mercy, they rejoice therein; but if evil
befalleth them, for that which their hands have before committed, behold, they
despair.
Do they not see that GOD bestoweth provision abundantly on whom he
pleaseth, and is sparing unto whom he pleaseth? Verily herein are signs unto
people who believe.
Give unto him who is of kin to thee his reasonable due; and also to the
poor, and the stranger: this is better for those who seek the face of GOD; and
they shall prosper.
Whatever ye shall give in usury, to be an increase of men's substance,
shall not be increased by the blessing of GOD: but whatever ye shall give in
alms, for GOD'S sake, they shall receive a twofold reward.
40 It is GOD who hath created you, and hath provided food for you: hereafter
will he cause you to die; and after that will he raise you again to life. Is
there any of your false gods, who is able to do the least of these things?
Praise be unto him; and far be he removed from what they associate with him!
Corruption hath appeared by land and by sea, for the crimes which men's
hands have committed; that it might make them to taste a part of the fruits
of that which they have wrought, that peradventure they might turn from their
evil ways.
Say, Go through the earth, and see what hath been the end of those who
have been before you: the greater part of them were idolaters.
Set thy face therefore towards the right religion, before the day cometh,
which none can put back from GOD. On that day shall they be separated into
two companies:
whoever shall have been an unbeliever, on him shall his unbelief be
charged; and whoever shall have done that which is right, shall spread
themselves couches of repose in paradise;
that he may reward those who shall believe, and work righteousness, of
his abundant liberality; for he loveth not the unbelievers.
Of his signs one is, that he sendeth the winds, bearing welcome tidings
of rain, that he may cause you to taste of his mercy; and that ships may sail
at his command, that ye may seek to enrich yourselves of his abundance by
commerce; and that ye may give thanks.
We sent apostles, before thee, unto their respective people, and they
came unto them with evident proofs: and we took vengeance on those who did
wickedly; and it was incumbent on us to assist the true believers.
It is GOD who sendeth the winds, and raiseth the clouds, and spreadeth
the same in the heaven, as he pleaseth; and afterwards disperseth the same:
and thou mayest see the rain issuing from the midst thereof; and when he
poureth the same down on such of his servants as he pleaseth, behold, they are
filled with joy;
although before it was sent down unto them, before such relief, they were
despairing.
50 Consider therefore the traces of GOD'S mercy; how he quickeneth the
earth, after its state of death: verily the same will raise the dead; for he
is almighty.
Yet if we should send a blasting wind, and they should see their corn
yellow and burnt up, they would surely become ungrateful, after our former
favors.
Thou canst not make the dead to hear, neither canst thou make the deaf to
neither canst thou direct the blind out of their error: thou shalt make
none to hear, except him who shall believe in our signs; for they are resigned
unto us.
It is GOD who created you in weakness, and after weakness hath given you
strength; and after strength, he will again reduce you to weakness, and gray
hairs: he createth that which he pleaseth; and he is the wise, the powerful.
On the day whereon the last hour shall come, the wicked will swear that
they have not tarried above an hour: in like manner did they utter lies in their
lifetime.
But those on whom knowledge hath been bestowed, and faith, will say, Ye
have tarried, according to the book of GOD, until the day of resurrection;
for this is the day of resurrection; but ye knew it not.
On that day their excuse shall not avail those who have acted unjustly;
neither shall they be invited any more to make themselves acceptable unto God.
And now have we propounded unto men, in this Koran, parables of every
kind: yet if thou bring them a verse thereof, the unbelievers will surely say,
Ye are no other than publishers of vain falsehoods.
Thus hath GOD sealed up the hearts of those who believe not:
60 But do thou, O Mohammed, persevere with constancy, for GOD is true; and
let not those induce thee to waver, who have no certain knowledge.



________


CHAPTER XXXI.

ENTITLED, LOKMAN; REVEALED AT MECCA.

IN THE NAME OF THE MOST MERCIFUL GOD.

A.L.M.
THESE are the signs of the wise book,
a direction, and a mercy unto the righteous;
who observe the appointed times of prayer, and give alms, and have firm
assurance in the life to come:
these are directed by their LORD, and they shall prosper.
There is a man who purchaseth a ludicrous story, that he may seduce men
from the way of GOD, without knowledge, and may laugh the same to scorn: these
shall suffer a shameful punishment.
And when our signs are rehearsed unto him, he disdainfully turneth his
back as though he heard them not, as though there were a deafness in his ears:
wherefore denounce unto him a grievous punishment.
But they who shall believe and work righteousness, shall enjoy gardens of
pleasure:
they shall continue therein forever: this is the certain promise of GOD;
and he is the mighty, the wise.
10 He hath created the heavens without visible pillars to sustain them, and
thrown on the earth mountains firmly rooted, lest it should move with you;
and he hath replenished the same with all kinds of beasts; and we send down
rain from heaven, and cause every kind of noble vegetable to spring forth
therein.
This is the creation of GOD: show me now what they have created, who are
worshipped besides him? verily the ungodly are in a manifest error.
We heretofore bestowed wisdom on Lokmân, and commanded him, saying, Be
thou thankful unto GOD: for whoever is thankful, shall be thankful to the
advantage of his own soul; and if any shall be unthankful, verily GOD is self-
sufficient, and worthy to be praised.
And remember when Lokmân said unto his son, as he admonished him, Oh my
son, give not a partner unto GOD; for polytheism is a great impiety.
We have commanded man concerning his parents, (his mother carrieth him
in her womb with weakness and faintness, and he is weaned in two years),
saying, Be grateful unto me, and to thy parents. Unto me shall all come to be
judged.
But if thy parents endeavour to prevail on thee to associate with me that
concerning which thou hast no knowledge, obey them not: bear them company in
this world in what shall be reasonable; but follow the way of him who
sincerely turneth unto me. Hereafter unto me shall ye return, and then will
I declare unto you that which ye have done.
Oh my son, verily every matter, whether good or bad, though it be of the
weight of a grain of mustard-seed, and be hidden in a rock, or in the heavens,
or in the earth, GOD will bring the same to light; for GOD is clear-sighted
and knowing.
Oh my son, be constant at prayer, and command that which is just, and
forbid that which is evil: and be patient under the afflictions which shall
befall thee; for this is a duty absolutely incumbent on all men.
Distort not thy face out of contempt to men, neither walk in the earth
with insolence; for GOD loveth no arrogant, vain-glorious person.
And be moderate in thy pace; and lower thy voice; for the most ungrateful
of all voices surely is the voice of asses.
20 Do ye not see that GOD hath subjected whatever is in heaven and on earth
to your service, and hath abundantly poured on you his favors, both outwardly
and inwardly? There are some who dispute concerning GOD without knowledge,
and without a direction, and without an enlightening book.
And when it is said unto them, Follow that which GOD hath revealed, they
answer, Nay, we will follow that which we found our fathers to practise.
What, though the devil invite them to the torment of hell?
Whosoever resigneth himself unto GOD, being a worker of righteousness,
taketh hold on a strong handle; and unto GOD belongeth the issue of all
things.
But whoever shall be an unbeliever, let not his unbelief grieve thee:
unto us shall they return; then will we declare unto them that which they have
done, for GOD knoweth the innermost parts of the breasts of men.
We will suffer them to enjoy this world for a little while: afterwards we
will drive them to a severe punishment.
If thou ask them who hath created the heavens and the earth, they will
surely answer, GOD. Say, GOD be praised! but the greater part of them do not
understand.
Unto GOD belongeth whatever is in heaven and earth: for GOD is the self-
sufficient, the praiseworthy.
If whatever trees are in the earth were pens, and he should after that
swell the sea into seven seas of ink, the words of GOD would not be
exhausted; for GOD is mighty and wise.
Your creation and your resuscitation are but as the creation and
resuscitation of one soul: verily GOD both heareth and seeth.
Dost thou not see that GOD causeth the night to succeed the day, and
causeth the day to succeed the night, and compelleth the sun and the moon to
serve you? Each of those luminaries hasteneth in its course to a determined
period: and GOD is well acquainted with that which ye do.
30 This is declared concerning the divine knowledge and power, for that GOD
is the true Being, and for that whatever ye invoke, besides him is vanity; and
for that GOD is the high, the great God.
Dost thou not see that the ships run in the sea, through the favor of
GOD, that he may show you of his signs? Verily herein are signs unto every
patient, grateful person.
When waves cover them, like overshadowing clouds, they call upon GOD,
exhibiting the pure religion unto him; but when he bringeth them safe to land,
there is of them who halteth between the true faith and idolatry. Howbeit,
none rejecteth our signs, except every perfidious, ungrateful person.
O men, fear your LORD, and dread the day whereon a father shall not make
satisfaction for his father at all: the promise of GOD is assuredly true. Let
not this present life, therefore, deceive you; neither let the deceiver deceive
you concerning GOD.
Verily the knowledge of the hour of judgment is with GOD; and he causeth
the rain to descend at his own appointed time; and he knoweth what is in the
wombs of females. No soul knoweth what it shall gain on the morrow; neither
doth any soul know in what land it shall die; but GOD is knowing and fully
acquainted with all things.