the unbelievers.  Say, what think ye of your deities which ye invoke besides GOD?  Show me what part of the earth they have created.  Or had they any share in the creation of the heavens?  Have we given unto the idolaters any book of revelations, so that they may rely on any proof therefrom to authorize their practice? Nay; but the ungodly make unto one another only deceitful promises.  Verily GOD sustaineth the heavens and the earth, lest they fail:  and if they should fail, none could support the same besides him; he is gracious and merciful. The Koreish swore by GOD, with a most solemn oath, that if a preacher had come unto them, they would surely have been more willingly directed than any nation:  but now a preacher is come unto them, it hath only increased in them their aversion from the truth, their arrogance in the earth, and their contriving of evil; but the contrivance of evil shall only encompass the authors thereof.  Do they expect any other than the punishment awarded against the unbelievers of former times?  For thou shalt not find any change in the ordinance of GOD; neither shalt thou find any variation in the ordinance of GOD.  Have they not gone through the earth, and seen what hath been the end of those who were before them; although they were more mighty in strength than they?  GOD is not to be frustrated by anything either in heaven or on earth; for he is wise and powerful.  If GOD should punish men according to what they deserve, he would not leave on the back of the earth so much as a beast; but he respiteth them to a determined time; and when their time shall come, verily GOD will regard his servants.

CHAPTER LV.:  INTITLED “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.  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:  between them is placed