No people can advance their doom, nor can they delay it.
          
            23:43
          
        
        
          Then We sent Our messengers in succession: whenever a messenger came to his people, they denied him. So We destroyed them, one after the other, reducing them to ˹cautionary˺ tales. So away with the people who refuse to believe!
          
            23:44
          
        
        
          Then We sent Moses and his brother Aaron with Our signs1 and compelling proof
          
            23:45
          
        
        
          to Pharaoh and his chiefs, but they behaved arrogantly and were a tyrannical people.
          
            23:46
          
        
        
          They argued, “Will we believe in two humans, like ourselves, whose people are slaves to us?”
          
            23:47
          
        
        
          So they rejected them both, and ˹so˺ were among those destroyed.
          
            23:48
          
        
        
          And We certainly gave Moses the Scripture, so perhaps his people would be ˹rightly˺ guided.
          
            23:49
          
        
        
          And We made the son of Mary and his mother a sign, and gave them refuge on high ground—a ˹suitable˺ place for rest with flowing water.
          
            23:50
          
        
        
          O messengers! Eat from what is good and lawful, and act righteously. Indeed, I fully know what you do.
          
            23:51
          
        
        
          Surely this religion of yours is ˹only˺ one, and I am your Lord, so fear Me ˹alone˺.
          
            23:52
          
        
        
          Yet the people have divided it into different sects, each rejoicing in what they have.
          
            23:53
          
        
        
          So leave them ˹O Prophet˺ in their heedlessness for a while.
          
            23:54
          
        
        
          Do they think, since We provide them with wealth and children,
          
            23:55
          
        
        
          that We hasten to ˹honour˺ them ˹with˺ all kinds of good? No! They are not aware.
          
            23:56
          
        
        
          Surely those who tremble in awe of their Lord,
          
            23:57
          
        
        
          and who believe in the revelations of their Lord,
          
            23:58
          
        
        
          and who associate none with their Lord,
          
            23:59