the number of those who perish.  And God sent a raven, which scratched the earth, to show him how he should hide the shame of his brother, and he said, Woe is me! am I unable to be like this raven, that I may hide my brother’s shame? and he became one of those who repent.  Wherefore we commanded the children of Israel, that he who slayeth a soul, without having slain a body, or committed wickedness in the earth, shall be as if he had slain all mankind:  but he who saveth a soul alive, shall be as if he had saved the lives of all mankind.  Our apostles formerly came unto them, with evident miracles; then were many of them, after this, transgressors on the earth.  But the recompense of those who fight against God and his apostles, and study to act corruptly in the earth, shall be, that they shall be slain, or crucified, or have their hands and their feet cut off on the opposite sides, or be banished the land.  This shall be their disgrace in this world, and in the next world they shall suffer a grievous punishment; except those who shall repent, before ye prevail against them; for know that God is inclined to forgive, and be merciful.  O true believers, fear God, and earnestly desire a near conjunction with him, and fight for his religion, that ye may be happy.  Moreover, they who believe not, although they had whatever is in the earth, and as much more withal, that they might therewith redeem themselves from punishment on the day of resurrection:  it shall not be accepted from them, but they shall suffer a painful punishment.  They shall desire to go forth from the fire, but they shall not go forth from it, and their punishment shall be permanent.  If a man or a woman steal, cut off their hands,[87] in retribution for that which they have committed; this is an exemplary punishment appointed by God; and God is mighty and wise.  But whoever shall repent after his iniquity, and amend, verily God will be turned unto him, for God is inclined to forgive and be merciful.  Dost thou not know that the kingdom of heaven and earth is God’s?  He punisheth whom he pleaseth, and he pardoneth whom he pleaseth; for God is almighty.  O apostle, let them not grieve thee, who hasten to infidelity, either of those who say, We believe, with their mouths, but whose hearts believe not; or of the Jews, who hearken to a lie, and hearken to other people; who come not unto thee:  they pervert the words of the law from their true places, and say, If this be brought unto you, receive it; but if it be not brought unto you, beware of receiving aught else; and in behalf of him whom God shall resolve to reduce, thou shalt not prevail with God at all.  They whose hearts God shall not please to cleanse, shall suffer shame in this world, and a grievous punishment in the next:  who hearken to a lie, and eat that which is forbidden.  But if they come unto thee for judgment, either judge between them, or leave them; and if thou leave them, they shall not hurt thee at all.  But if thou undertake to judge, judge between them with equity;