Jean de La Fontaine - "The Tales and Novels, v15: The Mandrake & The Rhemese"

Booth Tarkington - "Harlequin and Columbine"

Thornton W. Burgess - "The Adventures of Jerry Muskrat"

John Lothrop Motley - "History of the United Netherlands, 1587"

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 LV.

ENTITLED, THE MERCIFUL; REVEALED AT MECCA.

IN THE NAME OF THE MOST MERCIFUL GOD.

THE Merciful
hath taught his servant the Koran.
He created man:
he hath taught him distinct speech.
The sun and the moon run their courses according to a certain rule:
and the vegetables which creep on the ground, and the trees submit to
his disposition.
He also raised the heaven; and he appointed the balance,
that ye should not transgress in respect to the balance:
wherefore observe a just weight; and diminish not the balance.
10 And the earth hath he prepared for living creatures:
therein are various fruits, and palm-trees bearing sheaths of flowers;
and grain having chaff, and leaves.
Which, therefore, of your LORD'S benefits will ye ungratefully deny?
He created man of dried clay like an earthen vessel:
but he created the genii of fire clear from smoke.
Which, therefore, of your LORD'S benefits will ye ungratefully deny?
He is the LORD of the east, and the LORD of the west.
Which, therefore, of your LORD'S benefits will ye ungratefully deny?
He hath let loose the two seas, that they meet each another:
20 between them is placed a bar which they cannot pass.
Which, therefore, of your LORD'S benefits will ye ungratefully deny?
From them are taken forth unions and lesser pearls.
Which, therefore, of your LORD'S benefits will ye ungratefully deny?
His also are the ships, carrying their sails aloft in the sea like
mountains.
Which, therefore, of your LORD'S benefits will ye ungratefully deny?
Every creature which liveth on the earth is subject to decay:
but the glorious and honourable countenance of thy LORD shall remain
forever.
Which, therefore, of your LORD'S benefits will ye ungratefully deny?
Unto him do all creatures which are in heaven and earth make petition:
every day is he employed in some new work.
30 Which, therefore, of your LORD'S benefits will ye ungratefully deny?
We will surely attend to judge you, O men and genii, at the last day.
Which, therefore, of your LORD'S benefits will ye ungratefully deny?
O ye collective body of genii and men, if ye be able to pass out of the
confines of heaven and earth, pass forth: ye shall not pass forth but by
absolute power.
Which, therefore, of your LORD'S benefits will ye ungratefully deny?
A flame of fire without smoke, and a smoke without flame shall be sent
down upon you; and ye shall not be able to defend yourselves therefrom.
Which, therefore, of your LORD'S benefits will ye ungratefully deny?
And when the heaven shall be rent in sunder, and shall become red as
a rose, and shall melt like ointment.
(Which, therefore, of your LORD'S benefits will ye ungratefully deny?)
On that day neither man nor genius shall be asked concerning his sin.
40 Which, therefore, of your LORD'S benefits will ye ungratefully deny?
The wicked shall be known by their marks; and they shall be taken by
the forelocks, and the feet, and shall be cast into hell.
Which, therefore, of your LORD'S benefits will ye ungratefully deny?
This is hell, which the wicked deny as a falsehood:
they shall pass to and fro between the same and hot boiling water.
Which, therefore, of your LORD'S benefits will ye ungratefully deny?
But for him who dreadeth the tribunal of his LORD are prepared two
gardens:
(Which, therefore, of your LORD'S benefits will ye ungratefully deny?)
planted with shady trees.
Which, therefore, of your LORD'S benefits will ye ungratefully deny?
50 In each of them shall be two fountains flowing.
Which, therefore, of your LORD'S benefits will ye ungratefully deny?
In each of them shall there be of every fruit two kinds.
Which, therefore, of your LORD'S benefits will ye ungratefully deny?
They shall repose on couches, the linings whereof shall be of thick
silk interwoven with gold: and the fruit of the two gardens shall be near
at hand together.
Which, therefore, of your LORD'S benefits will ye ungratefully deny?
Therein shall receive them beauteous damsels, refraining their eyes
from beholding any besides their spouses: whom no man shall have
deflowered before them, neither any genius:
(Which, therefore, of your LORD'S benefits will ye ungratefully deny?)
Having complexions like rubies and pearls.
Which, therefore, of your LORD'S benefits will ye ungratefully deny?
60 Shall the reward of good works be any other good?
Which, therefore, of your LORD'S benefits will ye ungratefully deny?
And besides these there shall be two other gardens:
(Which, therefore, of your LORD'S benefits will ye ungratefully deny?)
Of a dark green.
Which, therefore, of your LORD'S benefits will ye ungratefully deny?
In each of them shall be two fountains pouring forth plenty of water.
Which, therefore, of your LORD'S benefits will ye ungratefully deny?
In each of them shall be fruits, and palm-trees, and pomegranates.
Which, therefore, of your LORD'S benefits will ye ungratefully deny?
70 Therein shall be agreeable and beauteous damsels:
Which, therefore, of your LORD'S benefits will ye ungratefully deny?
Having fine black eyes, and kept in pavilions from public view:
Which, therefore, of your LORD'S benefits will ye ungratefully deny?
Whom no man shall have deflowered before their destined spouses,
nor any genius.
Which, therefore, of your LORD'S benefits will ye ungratefully deny?
Therein shall they delight themselves, lying on green cushions and
beautiful carpets.
Which, therefore, of your LORD'S benefits will ye ungratefully deny?
Blessed be the name of thy LORD, possessed of glory and honour!



________


CHAPTER LVI.

ENTITLED, THE INEVITABLE; REVEALED AT MECCA.

IN THE NAME OF THE MOST MERCIFUL GOD.

WHEN the inevitable day of judgment shall suddenly come,
no soul shall charge the prediction of its coming with falsehood:
it will abase some, and exalt others.
When the earth shall be shaken with a violent shock;
and the mountains shall be dashed in pieces,
and shall become as dust scattered abroad;
and ye shall be separated into three distinct classes:
the companions of the right hand; (how happy shall the companions of the
right hand be!)
and the companions of the left hand (how miserable shall the companions
of the left hand be!),
10 and those who have preceded others in the faith shall precede them to
paradise.
These are they who shall approach near unto God:
they shall dwell in gardens of delight:
(There shall be many of the former religions;
and few of the last.)
Reposing on couches adorned with gold and precious stones;
sitting opposite to one another thereon.
Youths which shall continue in their bloom forever, shall go round about
to attend them,
with goblets, and beakers, and a cup of flowing wine:
their heads shall not ache by drinking the same, neither shall their
reason be disturbed:
20 and with fruits of the sorts which they shall choose,
and the flesh of birds of the kind which they shall desire.
And there shall accompany them fair damsels having large black eyes;
resembling pearls hidden in their shells:
as a reward for that which they shall have wrought.
They shall not hear therein any vain discourse, or any charge of sin;
but only the salutation, Peace! Peace!
And the companions of the right hand (how happy shall the companions of
the right hand be!)
shall have their abode among lote-trees free from thorns,
and trees of mauz loaded regularly with their produce from top to
bottom;
30 under an extended shade,
near a flowing water,
and amidst fruits in abundance,
which shall not fail, nor shall be forbidden to be gathered:
and they shall repose themselves on lofty beds.
Verily we have created the damsels of paradise by a peculiar creation;
and we have made them virgins,
beloved by their husbands, of equal age with them;
for the delight of the companions of the right hand.
There shall be many of the former religions,
40 and many of the latter.
And the companions of the left hand (how miserable shall the companions
of the left hand be!)
shall dwell amidst burning winds, and scalding water,
under the shade of a black smoke,
neither cool nor agreeable.
For they enjoyed the pleasures of life before this, while on earth;
and obstinately persisted in a heinous wickedness:
and they said,
After we shall have died, and become dust and bones, shall we surely be
raised to life?
Shall our forefathers also be raised with us?
Say, Verily both the first and the last
50 shall surely be gathered together to judgment, at the prefixed time
of a known day.
Then ye, O men, who have erred, and denied the resurrection as a
falsehood,
shall surely eat of the fruit of the tree of al Zakkum,
and shall fill your bellies therewith:
and ye shall drink thereon boiling water;
and ye shall drink as a thirsty camel drinketh.
This shall be their entertainment on the day of judgment.
We have created you: will ye not therefore believe that we can raise you
from the dead?
What think ye? The seed which ye emit,
do ye create the same, or are we the creators thereof?
60 We have decreed death unto you all: and we shall not be prevented.
We are able to substitute others like unto you in your stead, and to
produce you again in the condition or form which ye know not.
Ye know the original production by creation; will ye not therefore
consider that we are able to produce you by resuscitation?
What think ye? The grain which ye sow,
do ye cause the same to spring forth, or do we cause it to spring forth?
If we pleased, verily we could render the same dry and fruitless, so that
ye would not cease to wonder,
saying, Verily we have contracted debts for seed and labor,
but we are not permitted to reap the fruit thereof.
What think ye? The water which ye drink,
do ye send down the same from the clouds, or are we the senders thereof?
70 If we pleased, we could render the same brackish: will ye not therefore
give thanks?
What think ye? The fire which ye strike,
do ye produce the tree whence ye obtain the same, or are we the
producers thereof?
We have ordained the same for an admonition, and an advantage to those
who travel through the deserts.
Wherefore praise the name of thy LORD, the great God.
Moreover I swear by the setting of the stars;
(and it is surely a great oath, if ye knew it;)
that this is the excellent Koran,
the original whereof is written in the preserved book:
none shall touch the same, except those who are clean.
80 It is a revelation from the LORD of all creatures.
Will ye, therefore, despise this new revelation?
And do ye make this return for your food which ye receive from God, that
ye deny yourselves to be obliged to him for the same?
When the soul of a dying person cometh up to his throat,
and ye at the same time are looking on;
(and we are nigher unto him than ye, but ye see not his true condition;)
would ye not, if ye are not to be rewarded for your action hereafter,
cause the same to return into the body, if ye speak the truth?
And whether he be of those who shall approach near unto God,
his reward shall be rest, and mercy, and a garden of delights:
90 or whether he be of the companions of the right hand,
he shall be saluted with the salutation, Peace be unto thee! by the
companions of the right hand, his brethren:
or whether he be of those who have rejected the true faith, and gone
astray,
his entertainment shall consist of boiling water,
and the burning of hell fire.
Verily this is a certain truth.
Wherefore praise the name of thy LORD, the great God.



________


CHAPTER LVII.

ENTITLED, IRON; REVEALED AT MECCA, OR AT MEDINA.

IN THE NAME OF THE MOST MERCIFUL GOD.

WHATEVER is in heaven and earth singeth praise unto GOD; and he is mighty
and wise.
His is the kingdom of heaven and earth; he giveth life, and he putteth to
death; and he is almighty.
He is the first, and the last; the manifest and the hidden: and he
knoweth all things.
It is he who created the heavens and the earth in six days, and then
ascended his throne. He knoweth that which entereth into the earth, and that
which issueth out of the same, and that which descendeth from heaven, and that
which ascendeth thereto; and he is with you, wheresoever ye be: for GOD seeth
that which ye do.
His is the kingdom of heavens and earth; and unto GOD shall all things
return.
He causeth the night to succeed the day, and he causeth the day to
succeed the night; and he knowest the innermost part of men's breasts.
Believe in GOD and his apostle, and lay out in alms a part of the wealth
whereof GOD hath made you inheritors: for unto such of you as believe, and
bestow alms, shall be given a great reward.
And what aileth you, that ye believe not in GOD, when the apostle
inviteth you to believe in your LORD; and he hath received your covenant
concerning this matter, if ye believe any proposition?
It is he who hath sent down unto his servant evident signs, that he may
lead you out of darkness into light; for GOD is compassionate and merciful
unto you.
10 And what aileth you, that ye contribute not of your substance for the
defence of GOD'S true religion? Since unto GOD appertaineth the inheritance
of heaven and earth. Those among you who shall have contributed and fought
in defence of the faith, before the taking of Mecca, shall not be held equal with
those who shall contribute and fight for the same afterwards. These shall be
superior in degree unto those who shall contribute and fight for the
propagation of the faith, after the above-mentioned success; but unto all hath
GOD promised a most excellent reward; and GOD well knoweth that which ye do.
Who is he that will lend unto GOD an acceptable loan? for he will double
the same unto him, and he shall receive moreover an honourable reward.
On a certain day, thou shalt see the true believers of both sexes: their
light shall run before them, and on their right hands; and it shall be said
unto them, Good tidings unto you this day: gardens through which rivers
flow; ye shall remain therein forever. This will be great felicity.
On that day the hypocritical men and the hypocritical women shall say
unto those who believe, Stay for us, what we may borrow some of your light.
It shall be answered, Return back into the world, and seek light. And a high
wall shall be set betwixt them, wherein shall be a gate, within which shall be
mercy; and without it, over against the same, the torment of hell.
The hypocrites shall call out unto the true believers, saying, Were we not
with you? They shall answer, Yea; but ye seduced your own souls by your
hypocrisy; and ye waited our ruin; and ye doubted concerning the faith; and
your wishes deceived you, until the decree of GOD came, and ye died: and
the deceiver deceived you concerning GOD.
This day, therefore, a ransom shall not be accepted of you, nor of those
who have been unbelievers. Your abode shall be hell fire: this is what ye
have deserved; and an unhappy journey shall it be thither!
Is not the time yet come unto those who believe, that their hearts should
humbly submit to the admonition of GOD, and to that truth which hath been
revealed; and that they be not as those unto whom the scripture was given
heretofore, and to whom the time of forbearance was prolonged, but their
hearts were hardened, and many of them were wicked doers?
Know that GOD quickeneth the earth, after it hath been dead. Now have
we distinctly declared our signs unto you, that ye may understand.
Verily as to the almsgivers, both men and women, and those who lend unto
GOD an acceptable loan, he will double the same unto them; and they shall
moreover receive an honourable reward.
And they who believe in GOD and his apostles, these are the men of
veracity, and the witnesses in the presence of their LORD: they shall have
their reward, and their light. But as to those who believe not, and accuse
our signs of falsehood, they shall be the companions of hell.
20 Know that this present life is only a toy and a vain amusement: and
worldly pomp, and the affectation of glory among you, and the multiplying of
riches and children, are as the plants nourished by the rain, the springing up
whereof delighteth the husbandmen; afterwards they wither, so that thou
seest the same turned yellow, and at length they become dry stubble. And
in the life to come will be a severe punishment for those who covet worldly
grandeur;and pardon from GOD, and favor for those who renounce it: for this
present life is no other than a deceitful provision.
Hasten with emulation to obtain pardon from your LORD, and paradise, the
extent whereof equalleth the extent of heaven and earth, prepared for those
who believe in GOD and his apostles. This is the bounty of GOD: he will give
the same unto whom he pleaseth; and GOD is endued with great bounty.
No accident happeneth in the earth, nor in your persons, but the same was
entered in the book of our decrees, before we created it: verily this is easy
with GOD:
and this is written lest ye immoderately grieve for the good which
escapeth you, or rejoice for that which happened unto you; for GOD loveth no
proud or vain-glorious person,
or those who are covetous, and command men covetousness. And whoso
turneth aside from giving alms; verily GOD is self-sufficient, worthy to be
praised.
We formerly sent our apostles with evident miracles and arguments; and we
sent down with them the scriptures and the balance, that men might observe
justice: and we sent them down iron, wherein is mighty strength for war, and
various advantages unto mankind: that GOD may know who assisteth him and his
apostles in secret; for GOD is strong and mighty.
We formerly sent Noah and Abraham, and we established in their posterity
the gift of prophecy, and the scripture: and of them some were directed, but
many of them were evil-doers.
Afterwards we caused our apostles to succeed in their footsteps; and we
caused Jesus the son of Mary to succeed them, and we gave him the gospel: and
we put in the hearts of those that followed him compassion and mercy: but as
to the monastic state, they instituted the same (we did not prescribe it to
them) only out of a desire to please GOD; yet they observed not the same as it
ought truly to have been observed. And we gave unto such of them as believed
their reward: but many of them were wicked doers.
O ye who believe in the former prophets, fear GOD, and believe in his
apostle Mohammed: he will give you two portions of his mercy, and he will
ordain a light wherein ye may walk, and he will forgive you; for GOD is ready
to forgive, and merciful:
that those who have received the scriptures may know that they have not
power over any of the favours of GOD, and that good is in the hand of GOD; he
bestoweth the same on whom he pleaseth; for GOD is endued with great
beneficence.



________


CHAPTER LVIII.

ENTITLED, SHE WHO DISPUTED; REVEALED AT MEDINA.

IN THE NAME OF THE MOST MERCIFUL GOD.

NOW hath GOD heard the speech of her who disputed with thee concerning
her husband, and made her complaint unto GOD; and GOD hath heard your
mutual discourse: for GOD both heareth and seeth.
As to those among you who divorce their wives, by declaring that they
will thereafter regard them as their mothers; let them know that they are not
their mothers. They only are their mothers who brought them forth; and they
certainly utter an unjustifiable saying and a falsehood: but GOD is gracious and
ready to forgive.
Those who divorce their wives by declaring that they will for the future
regard them as their mothers, and afterwards would repair what they have
said, shall be obliged to free a captive, before they touch one another.
That is what ye are warned to perform: and GOD is well apprised of that which
ye do.
And whoso findeth not a captive to redeem, shall observe a fast of two
consecutive months, before they touch one another. And whoso shall not be
able to fast that time, shall feed threescore poor men. This is ordained you,
that ye may believe in GOD and his apostle. These are the statutes of GOD:
and for the unbelievers is prepared a grievous torment.
Verily they who oppose GOD and his apostle shall be brought low, as the
unbelievers who preceded them were brought low. And now have we sent down
manifest signs: and an ignominious punishment awaiteth the unbelievers.
On a certain day GOD shall raise them all to life, and shall declare unto
them that which they have wrought. GOD hath taken an exact account thereof;
but they have forgotten the same: and GOD is witness over all things.
Dost thou not perceive that GOD knoweth whatever is in heaven and in
earth? There is no private discourse among three persons, but he is the
fourth of them; nor among five, but he is the sixth of them; neither among a
smaller number than this, nor a larger, but he is with them, wheresoever they
be: and he will declare unto them that which they have done, on the day of
resurrection; for GOD knoweth all things.
Hast thou not observed those who have been forbidden to use clandestine
discourse, but afterwards return to what they have been forbidden, and
discourse privily among themselves of wickedness, and enmity, and disobedience
towards the apostle? And when they come unto thee, they salute thee with
that form of salutation wherewith GOD doth not salute thee; and they say
among themselves, by way of derision, Would not GOD punish us for what we say,
if this man were a prophet? Hell shall be their sufficient punishment: they
shall go down into the same to be burned; and an unhappy journey shall it be!
O true believers, when ye discourse privily together, discourse not of
wickedness, and enmity, and disobedience towards the apostle; but discourse of
justice and piety: and fear GOD, before whom ye shall be assembled.
10 Verily the clandestine discourse of the infidels proceedeth from Satan,
that he may grieve the true believers: but there shall be none to hurt them in
the least, unless by the permission of GOD; wherefore in GOD let the faithful
trust.
O true believers, when it is said unto you, Make room in the assembly;
make room: GOD will grant you ample room in paradise. And when it is said
unto you, Rise up; rise up: GOD will raise those of you who believe, and those
to whom knowledge is given, to superior degrees of honour; and GOD is fully
apprised of that which ye do.
O true believers, when ye go to speak with the apostle, give alms
previously to your discoursing with him; this will be better for you, and
more pure. But if ye find not what to give, verily GOD will be gracious and
merciful unto you.
Do ye fear to give alms previously to your discoursing with the prophet,
lest ye should impoverish yourselves? Therefore if ye do it not, and GOD is
gracious unto you, by dispensing with the said precept for the future, be
constant at prayer, and pay the legal alms; and obey GOD and his apostle in
all other matters: for GOD well knoweth that which ye do.
Hast thou not observed those who have taken for their friends a people
against whom GOD is incensed? They are neither of you, nor of them: and
they swear to a lies knowingly.
GOD hath prepared for them a grievous punishment; for it is evil which
they do.
They have taken their oaths for a cloak, and they have turned men aside
from the way of GOD: wherefore a shameful punishment awaiteth them;
neither their wealth nor their children shall avail them at all against
GOD. These shall be the inhabitants of hell fire; they shall abide therein
forever.
On a certain day GOD shall raise them all: then will they swear unto him,
as they swear now unto you, imagining that it will be of service to them.
Are they not liars?
Satan hath prevailed against them, and hath caused them to forget the
remembrance of GOD. These are the party of the devil; and shall not the
party of the devil be doomed to perdition?
20 Verily they who oppose GOD and his apostle shall be placed among
the most vile.
GOD hath written, Verily I will prevail, and my apostles: for GOD is strong
and mighty.
Thou shalt not find people who believe in GOD and the last day to love
him who opposeth GOD and his apostle; although they be their fathers, or
their sons, or their brethren, or their nearest relations. In the hearts of
these hath GOD written faith; and he hath strengthened them with his
spirit: and he will lead them into gardens, beneath which rivers flow, to
remain therein forever. GOD is well pleased in them; and they are well
pleased in him. These are the party of GOD: and shall not the party of
GOD prosper?