38:2Those who disbelieve are steeped in arrogance and defiance.

38:3How many generations have We destroyed before them? They cried out when it was too late to escape.

38:4And they marveled that a warner has come to them from among them. The disbelievers said, “This is a lying magician.”

38:5“Did he turn all the gods into one God? This is something strange.”

38:6The notables among them announced: “Go on, and hold fast to your gods. This is something planned.

38:7We never heard of this in the former faith. This is nothing but a fabrication.

38:8Was the message sent down to him, out of all of us?” In fact, they are doubtful of My warning. In fact, they have not yet tasted My punishment.

38:9Or do they possess the treasuries of the mercy of your Lord—the Majestic, the Giver?

38:10Or do they possess the sovereignty of the heavens and the earth and what is between them? Then let them ascend the ropes.

38:11An army of confederates with be defeated there.

38:12Before them the people of Noah denied the truth; as did Aad, and Pharaoh of the Stakes.

38:14None of them but denied the messengers, so My retribution was deserved.

38:15These can expect only a single scream, from which there is no recovery.

38:16And they say, “Our Lord, hasten Your writ upon us, before the Day of Account.”

38:17Be patient in the face of what they say, and mention Our servant David, the resourceful. He was obedient.

38:18We committed the mountains to glorify with him, in the evening and at daybreak.

38:19And the birds, gathered together. All obedient to him.

38:20And We strengthened his kingdom, and gave him wisdom and decisive speech.

38:21Has the story of the two disputants reached you? When they scaled the sanctuary?

38:22When they entered upon David, and he was startled by them. They said, “Do not fear. Two disputants; one of us has wronged the other; so judge between us fairly, and do not be biased, and guide us to the straight way.”

38:23“This brother of mine has ninety nine ewes, and I have one ewe, and he said, ‘Entrust it to me,’ and he pressured me with words.”

38:24He said, “He has done you wrong by asking your ewe in addition to his ewes. Many partners take advantage of one another, except those who believe and do good deeds, but these are so few.” David realized that We were testing him, so he sought forgiveness from his Lord, and fell down to his knees, and repented.

38:25So We forgave him that. And for him is nearness to Us, and a good place of return.

38:26“O David, We made you a ruler in the land, so judge between the people with justice, and do not follow desire, lest it diverts you from God’s path. Those who stray from God’s path will have a painful punishment, for having ignored the Day of Account.”

38:27We did not create the heaven and the earth and everything between them in vain. That is the assumption of those who disbelieve—so woe to those who disbelieve because of the Fire.

38:28Or are We to treat those who believe and do righteous deeds like those who make trouble on earth? Or are We to treat the pious like the shameless?

38:29A blessed Book that We sent down to you, that they may ponder its Verses, and for those with intelligence to take heed.

38:30And We granted David, Solomon, an excellent servant. He was penitent.

38:31When the beautiful horses were paraded before him in the evening.

38:32He said, “I have preferred the love of niceties to the remembrance of my Lord—until it disappeared behind the veil.

38:33Bring them back to me.” And he began caressing their legs and necks.

38:34We tested Solomon, and placed a body on his throne; then he repented.

38:35He said, “My Lord, forgive me, and grant me a kingdom never to be attained by anyone after me. You are the Giver.”

38:36So We placed the wind at his service, blowing gently by his command, wherever he directed.

38:37And the demons—every builder and diver.

38:38And others fettered in chains.

38:39“This is Our gift; so give generously, or withhold; without account.”

38:40For him is nearness to Us, and a beautiful resort.

38:41And mention Our servant Job, when he called out to his Lord, “Satan has afflicted me with hardship and pain.”

38:42“Stamp with your foot—here is cool water to wash with, and to drink.”

38:43And We restored his family for him, and their like with them; as a mercy from Us, and a lesson for those who possess insight.

38:44“Take with your hand a bundle, and strike with it, and do not break your oath.” We found him patient. What an excellent servant! He was obedient.

38:45And mention Our servants Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—endowed with ability and vision.

38:46We distinguished them with a distinct quality: the remembrance of the Home.

38:47To Us they are among the chosen, the outstanding.

38:48And mention Ishmael, Elisha, and Ezekiel; all are among the outstanding.

38:49This is a reminder. The devout will have a good place of return.

38:50The Gardens of Eden, with their doors wide-open for them.

38:51Relaxing therein, and calling for abundant fruit and beverage.

38:52With them will be attendants with modest gaze, of same age.

38:53This is what you are promised for the Day of Account.

38:54Such is Our bounty, inexhaustible.

38:55All This. But the transgressors will have a miserable return.

38:56Hell; in which they will roast; what a miserable abode!

38:57All this. Let them taste it—boiling and bitter cold.

38:58And similar torments of diverse kinds.

38:59“This is a crowd rushing headlong with you.” There is no welcome for them. They will be scorched by the Fire.

38:60They will say, “But it is you! There is no welcome for you! It is you who brought it upon us! What a miserable end!”

38:61They will say, “Our Lord, whoever brought this upon us, give him double torment in the Fire.”

38:62And they will say, “What is it with us that we do not see men we used to count among the wicked?

38:63Did we take them for mockery, or have our eyes swerved from them?

38:64This is certainly true—the feuding of the people of the Fire.

38:65Say, “I am only a warner, and there is no god except God—the One, the Conqueror.

38:66The Lord of the heavens and the earth, and everything between them; the Mighty, the Forgiver.”

38:67Say, “It is a message of great importance.

38:68From which you are turning away.

38:69I have no knowledge of the Highest Assembly as they dispute.

38:70It is only revealed to me that I am a clear warner.”

38:71Your Lord said to the angels, “I am creating a human being from clay.

38:72When I have formed him, and breathed into him of My spirit, fall prostrate before him.

38:74Except for Satan. He was too proud, and one of the faithless.

38:75He said, “O Satan, what prevented you from prostrating before what I created with My Own hands? Are you too proud, or were you one of the exalted?”

38:76He said, “I am better than he; You created me from fire, and You created him from clay.”

38:77He said, “Then get out of here! You are an outcast!

38:78And My curse will be upon you until the Day of Judgment.”

38:79He said, “Lord, defer me until the Day they are resurrected.”

38:80He said, “You are one of those deferred.

38:81Until the Day of the Time Appointed.”

38:82He said, “By Your majesty, I will seduce them all.

38:84He said, “The truth is, and I say the truth.

38:85I will fill Hell with you, and with every one of them who follows you.”

38:86Say, “I ask of you no wage for this, and I am not a pretender.

38:87It is but a reminder to mankind.

38:88And you will know its message after a while.”