Page:Sacred Books of the East - Volume 6.djvu/170

44 by their mark, they do not beg from men importunately; but what ye spend of good God knows.

Those who expend their wealth by night and day, secretly and openly, they shall have their hire with their Lord. No fear shall come on them, nor shall they grieve.

Those who devour usury shall not rise again, save as he riseth whom Satan hath paralysed with a touch ; and that is because they say ‘ selling is only like usury,’ but God has made selling lawful and usury unlawful ; and he to whom the admonition from his Lord has come, if he desists, what has gone before is his : his matter is in God’s hands. But whosoever returns (to usury) these are the fellows of the Fire, and they shall dwell therein for aye. God shall blot out usury, but shall make almsgiving profitable, for God loves not any sinful misbeliever.

Verily, those who believe, and act righteously, and are steadfast in prayer, and give alms, theirs is their hire with their Lord ; there is no fear on them, nor shall they grieve.

O ye who believe ! fear God, and remit the balance of usury, if ye be believers ; and if ye will not do it, then hearken to the proclamation of war from God and His Apostle ; but if ye repent, your capital is yours. Ye shall not wrong, nor shall ye be wronged.

And if it be one in difficulties, then wait for easy circumstances ; but that ye remit it as alms is better for you, if ye did but know.

Fear the day wherein ye shall return to God ; then shall each soul be paid what it has earned, and they shall not be wronged.