and from prayer; will ye not therefore abstain from them?  Obey God, and obey the apostle, and take heed to yourselves:  but if ye turn back, know that the duty of our apostle is only to preach publicly.  In those who believe and do good works, it is no sin that they have tasted wine or gaming before they were forbidden; if they fear God, and believe, and do good works, and shall for the future fear God, and believe, and shall persevere to fear him, and to do good; for God loveth those who do good.  O true believers, God will surely prove you in offering you plenty of game, which ye may take with your hands or your lances, that God may know who feareth him in secret; but whoever transgresseth after this, shall suffer a grievous punishment.  O true believers, kill no game while ye are on pilgrimages; whosoever among you shall kill any designedly, shall restore the like of what ye shall have killed, in domestic animals, according to the determination of two just persons among you, to be brought as an offering to the Caabah; or in atonement thereof shall feed the poor; or instead thereof shall fast, that he may taste the heinousness of his deed.  God hath forgiven what is past, but whoever returneth to transgress, God will take vengeance on him; for God is mighty and able to avenge.  It is lawful for you to fish in the sea,[88] and to eat what ye shall catch, as a provision for you and for those who travel; but it is unlawful for you to hunt by land, while ye are performing the rites of pilgrimage; therefore fear God, before whom ye shall be assembled at the last day.  God hath appointed the Caabah, the holy house, an establishment for mankind; and hath ordained the sacred month, and the offering, and the ornaments hung thereon.  This hath he done that ye might know that God knoweth whatsoever is in heaven and on earth, and that God is omniscient.  Know that God is severe in punishing, and that God is ready to forgive and be merciful.  The duty of our apostle is to preach only; and God knoweth that which ye discover, and that which ye conceal.  Say, Evil and Good shall not be equally esteemed of, though the abundance of evil pleaseth thee; therefore fear God, O ye of understanding, that ye may be happy.  O true believers, inquire not concerning things which, if they be declared unto you, may give you pain; but if ye ask concerning them when the Koran is sent down, they will be declared unto you:  God pardoneth you as to these matters; for God is ready to forgive and gracious.  People who have been before you formerly inquired concerning them; and afterwards disbelieved therein.  God hath not ordained anything concerning Bahira, nor Saiba, nor Wasila, nor Hami;[89] but the unbelievers have invented a lie against God:  and the greater part of them do not understand.  And when it was said unto them, Come unto that which God hath revealed, and to the apostles; they answered, That religion which we found our fathers to follow is sufficient for us.  What though their fathers