sendeth down rain from heaven, and that we thereby produce fruits of various colors?  In the mountains also there are some tracts white and red, of various colors; and others are of a deep black:  and of men, and beasts, and cattle there are whose colors are in like manner various.  Such only of his servants fear GOD as are endued with understanding:  verily GOD is mighty and ready to forgive.  Verily they who read the book of GOD, and are constant at prayer, and give alms out of what we have bestowed on them, both in secret and openly, hope for a merchandise which shall not perish:  that God may fully pay them their wages, and make them a superabundant addition of his liberality; for he is ready to forgive the faults of his servants, and to requite their endeavors.  That which we have revealed unto thee of the book of the Koran is the truth, confirming the scriptures which were revealed before it:  for GOD knoweth and regardeth his servants.  And we have given the book of the Koran in heritage unto such of our servants as we have chosen:  of them there is one who injureth his own soul; and there is another of them who keepeth the middle way; and there is another of them who outstrippeth others in good works, by the permission of GOD.  This is the great excellence.  They shall be introduced into gardens of perpetual abode; they shall be adorned therein with bracelets of gold, and pearls, and their clothing therein shall be of silk:  and they shall say, Praise be unto GOD, who hath taken away sorrow from us! verily our LORD is ready to forgive the sinners, and to reward the obedient:  who hath caused us to take up our rest in a dwelling of eternal stability, through his bounty, wherein no labor shall touch us, neither shall any weariness affect us.  But for the unbelievers is prepared the fire of hell:  it shall not be decreed them to die a second time; neither shall any part of the punishment thereof be made lighter unto them.  Thus shall every infidel be rewarded.  And they shall cry out aloud in hell, saying, LORD, take us hence, and we will work righteousness, and not what we have formerly wrought. But it shall be answered them, Did we not grant you lives of length sufficient, that whoever would be warned might be warned therein; and did not the preacher come unto you?  Taste therefore the pains of hell.  And the unjust shall have no protector.  Verily GOD knoweth the secrets both of heaven and earth, for he knoweth the innermost parts of the breasts of men.  It is he who hath made you to succeed in the earth.  Whoever shall disbelieve, on him be his unbelief; and their unbelief shall only gain the unbelievers greater indignation in the sight of their LORD; and their unbelief shall only increase the perdition of