or mischief, they shall have their reward with their Lord; upon them shall no fear come, neither shall they be grieved.  A fair speech, and to forgive, is better than alms followed by mischief.  God is rich and merciful.  O true believers, make not your alms of no effect by reproaching, or mischief, as he who layeth out what he hath to appear unto men to give alms, and believeth not in God and the last day.  The likeness of such a one is as a flint covered with earth, on which a violent rain falleth, and leaveth it hard.  They cannot prosper in anything which they have gained, for God directeth not the unbelieving people.  And the likeness of those who lay out their substance from a desire to please God, and for an establishment for their souls, is as a garden on a hill, on which a violent rain falleth, and it bringeth forth its fruits twofold; and if a violent rain falleth not on it, yet the dew falleth thereon:  and God seeth that which ye do.  Doth any of you desire to have a garden of palm-trees and vines, through which rivers flow, wherein he may have all kinds of fruits, and that he may attain to old age, and have a weak offspring? then a violent fiery wind shall strike it, so that it shall be burned.  Thus God declareth his signs unto you, that ye may consider.  O true believers, bestow alms of the good things which ye have gained, and of that which we have produced for you out of the earth, and choose not the bad thereof, to give it in alms, such as ye would not accept yourselves, otherwise than by connivance:  and know that God is rich and worthy to be praised.  The devil threateneth you with poverty, and commandeth you filthy covetousness; but God promiseth you pardon from himself and abundance:  God is bounteous and wise.  He giveth wisdom unto whom he pleaseth; and he unto whom wisdom is given, hath received much good:  but none will consider, except the wise of heart.  And whatever alms ye shall give, or whatever vow ye shall vow, verily God knoweth it; but the ungodly shall have none to help them.  If ye make your alms to appear, it is well; but if ye conceal them, and give them unto the poor, this will be better for you, and will atone for your sins:  and God is well informed of that which ye do.  The direction of them belongeth not unto thee; but God directeth whom he pleaseth.  The good that ye shall give in alms shall redound unto yourselves; and ye shall not give unless out of desire of seeing the face of God.  And what good thing ye shall give in alms, it shall be repaid you, and ye shall not be treated unjustly; unto the poor who are wholly employed in fighting for the religion of God, and cannot go to and fro in the earth; whom the ignorant man thinketh rich, because of their modesty:  thou shalt know them by this mark, they ask not men with importunity; and what good ye shall give in alms, verily God knoweth it.  They who distribute alms of their substance night and day, in private and in public, shall have their reward with the Lord; on them