Whether we show thee part of what we threatened against them, or whether we take thee to ourself [before], to us is their return—then shall God be witness of what they have done.
And every nation hath its apostle; and when their apostle is come, it is decided between them with equity, and they are not wronged.
Yet they say, “When will this promise be, if ye be speakers of truth?”
Say: I have no power for myself for woe or weal, except as God pleaseth. Every people hath its appointed term: when their term is come, they shall not put it off nor hasten it an hour.
Say: Bethink ye, if the torment of God come upon you by night or by day, what portion of it will the sinners willingly hasten on?
When it happeneth, will ye believe it then? Yet would ye fain hasten it on!
Then shall it be said to those who transgressed, “Taste ye the torment of eternity! Shall ye be rewarded save according to what ye have earned?”
They would fain know of thee if this is true. Say: Yea, by my Lord, it is indeed true, and ye cannot weaken Him.
And if every soul that transgressed owned all that is on earth, he would assuredly give it in ransom; and they will declare their repentance when they have seen the torment: and there shall be a decision between them with equity, and they shall not be wronged.
Is not indeed whatsoever is in the heavens and the earth God’s? Is not indeed the promise of God true? But most of them do not know!