Surah Al-Qasas Recitation, Translation, and Tafseer - The Holy Quran

28:41

وَ جَعَلْنٰهُمْ اَىٕمَّةً یَّدْعُوْنَ اِلَى النَّارِۚ-وَ یَوْمَ الْقِیٰمَةِ لَا یُنْصَرُوْنَ(۴۱)

We made them the leaders of those who call to Hell; and on the Day of Judgement they will not be helped.

And We appointed them leaders, calling to the Fire; and on the Day of Resurrection they shall not be helped;

28:42

وَ اَتْبَعْنٰهُمْ فِیْ هٰذِهِ الدُّنْیَا لَعْنَةًۚ-وَ یَوْمَ الْقِیٰمَةِ هُمْ مِّنَ الْمَقْبُوْحِیْنَ۠(۴۲)

A curse lies upon them in this world, and on the Day of Resurrection they will be despised.

and We pursued them in this world with a curse, and on the Day of Resurrection they shall be among the spurned.

28:43

وَ لَقَدْ اٰتَیْنَا مُوْسَى الْكِتٰبَ مِنْۢ بَعْدِ مَاۤ اَهْلَكْنَا الْقُرُوْنَ الْاُوْلٰى بَصَآىٕرَ لِلنَّاسِ وَ هُدًى وَّ رَحْمَةً لَّعَلَّهُمْ یَتَذَكَّرُوْنَ(۴۳)

After We had destroyed the earlier generations We gave Moses the Book as evidence for mankind, and a guidance and grace, so that they may remember.

And We gave Moses the Book, after that We had destroyed the former generations, to be examples and a guidance and a mercy, that haply so they might remember.

28:44

وَ مَا كُنْتَ بِجَانِبِ الْغَرْبِیِّ اِذْ قَضَیْنَاۤ اِلٰى مُوْسَى الْاَمْرَ وَ مَا كُنْتَ مِنَ الشّٰهِدِیْنَۙ(۴۴)

You were not there on the western side (of Mount Sinai) when We gave the commandments to Moses, nor were you witness (to the event).

Thou wast not upon the western side when We decreed to Moses the commandment, nor wast thou of those witnessing;

28:45

وَ لٰكِنَّاۤ اَنْشَاْنَا قُرُوْنًا فَتَطَاوَلَ عَلَیْهِمُ الْعُمُرُۚ-وَ مَا كُنْتَ ثَاوِیًا فِیْۤ اَهْلِ مَدْیَنَ تَتْلُوْا عَلَیْهِمْ اٰیٰتِنَاۙ-وَ لٰكِنَّا كُنَّا مُرْسِلِیْنَ(۴۵)

We raised (many more) generations and prolonged their lives. You did not live with the people of Midian, nor recited to them Our revelations; but We kept on sending messengers.

but We raised up generations, and long their lives continued. Neither wast thou a dweller among the Midianites, reciting to them Our signs; but We were sending Messengers.

28:46

وَ مَا كُنْتَ بِجَانِبِ الطُّوْرِ اِذْ نَادَیْنَا وَ لٰكِنْ رَّحْمَةً مِّنْ رَّبِّكَ لِتُنْذِرَ قَوْمًا مَّاۤ اَتٰىهُمْ مِّنْ نَّذِیْرٍ مِّنْ قَبْلِكَ لَعَلَّهُمْ یَتَذَكَّرُوْنَ(۴۶)

You were not present on the side of Mount Sinai when We called. And all this (knowledge that you are given) is by the grace of your Lord so that you may warn a people to whom no admonisher had come before you, that they may take heed;

Thou wast not upon the side of the Mount when We called; but for a mercy from thy Lord, that thou mayest warn a people to whom no warner came before thee, and that haply they may remember.

28:47

وَ لَوْ لَاۤ اَنْ تُصِیْبَهُمْ مُّصِیْبَةٌۢ بِمَا قَدَّمَتْ اَیْدِیْهِمْ فَیَقُوْلُوْا رَبَّنَا لَوْ لَاۤ اَرْسَلْتَ اِلَیْنَا رَسُوْلًا فَنَتَّبِـعَ اٰیٰتِكَ وَ نَكُوْنَ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِیْنَ(۴۷)

And in case disaster comes upon them for what they have done themselves, they should say: "O Lord, why did You not send an apostle to us that we should have followed Your commands, and been with those who are believers;"

Else, did an affliction visit them for that their own hands have forwarded then they might say, 'Our Lord, why didst Thou not send a Messenger to us that we might follow Thy signs and so be among the believers?'

28:48

فَلَمَّا جَآءَهُمُ الْحَقُّ مِنْ عِنْدِنَا قَالُوْا لَوْ لَاۤ اُوْتِیَ مِثْلَ مَاۤ اُوْتِیَ مُوْسٰىؕ-اَوَ لَمْ یَكْفُرُوْا بِمَاۤ اُوْتِیَ مُوْسٰى مِنْ قَبْلُۚ-قَالُوْا سِحْرٰنِ تَظٰهَرَاٙ۫-وَ قَالُوْۤا اِنَّا بِكُلٍّ كٰفِرُوْنَ(۴۸)

But when the truth came to them from Us, they said: "Why is he not given the like of what was given to Moses?" Did they not disbelieve before in what was given to Moses? They said: "Both are imposters one like the other," and added: "We do not believe in either."

Yet when the truth came to them 'from Ourselves, they said, 'Why has he not been given the like' of that Moses was given?' But they, did they not disbelieve also in what Moses was given aforetime? They said, 'A pair of sorceries mutually supporting each other.' They said, 'We disbelieve both.'

28:49

قُلْ فَاْتُوْا بِكِتٰبٍ مِّنْ عِنْدِ اللّٰهِ هُوَ اَهْدٰى مِنْهُمَاۤ اَتَّبِعْهُ اِنْ كُنْتُمْ صٰدِقِیْنَ(۴۹)

Say: "Then bring a Book from God which gives better guidance than these so that I may follow it, if you speak the truth."

Say: 'Bring a Book from God that gives better guidance than these, and follow it, if you speak truly.'

28:50

فَاِنْ لَّمْ یَسْتَجِیْبُوْا لَكَ فَاعْلَمْ اَنَّمَا یَتَّبِعُوْنَ اَهْوَآءَهُمْؕ-وَ مَنْ اَضَلُّ مِمَّنِ اتَّبَعَ هَوٰىهُ بِغَیْرِ هُدًى مِّنَ اللّٰهِؕ-اِنَّ اللّٰهَ لَا یَهْدِی الْقَوْمَ الظّٰلِمِیْنَ۠(۵۰)

Then, if they cannot give you an answer, know that they are only following their lusts. And who can be farther astray than he who follows his lust without any guidance from God? And certainly God does not guide an unjust people.

Then if they do not answer thee, know that they are only following their caprices; and who is further astray than he who follows his caprice without guidance from God? Surely God guides not the people of the evildoers.

28:51

وَ لَقَدْ وَصَّلْنَا لَهُمُ الْقَوْلَ لَعَلَّهُمْ یَتَذَكَّرُوْنَؕ(۵۱)

We have been sending word to them that they may take a warning.

Now We have brought them the Word; haply they may remember.

28:52

اَلَّذِیْنَ اٰتَیْنٰهُمُ الْكِتٰبَ مِنْ قَبْلِهٖ هُمْ بِهٖ یُؤْمِنُوْنَ(۵۲)

Those to whom We gave the Book before this do believe in it;

Those to whom We gave the Book before this believe in it

28:53

وَ اِذَا یُتْلٰى عَلَیْهِمْ قَالُوْۤا اٰمَنَّا بِهٖۤ اِنَّهُ الْحَقُّ مِنْ رَّبِّنَاۤ اِنَّا كُنَّا مِنْ قَبْلِهٖ مُسْلِمِیْنَ(۵۳)

And when it is read out to them, say: "We believe in it. It´s the truth from our Lord. We had committed ourselves before it came."

and, when it is recited to them, they say, 'We believe in it; surely it is the truth from our Lord. Indeed, even before' it we had surrendered.'

28:54

اُولٰٓىٕكَ یُؤْتَوْنَ اَجْرَهُمْ مَّرَّتَیْنِ بِمَا صَبَرُوْا وَ یَدْرَءُوْنَ بِالْحَسَنَةِ السَّیِّئَةَ وَ مِمَّا رَزَقْنٰهُمْ یُنْفِقُوْنَ(۵۴)

These will be given their recompense twice, for they persevered and repelled evil with good, and spent of what We had given them.

These shall be given their wage twice over for that they patiently endured, and avert evil with good, and expend of that We have provided them.

28:55

وَ اِذَا سَمِعُوا اللَّغْوَ اَعْرَضُوْا عَنْهُ وَ قَالُوْا لَنَاۤ اَعْمَالُنَا وَ لَكُمْ اَعْمَالُكُمْ٘-سَلٰمٌ عَلَیْكُمْ٘-لَا نَبْتَغِی الْجٰهِلِیْنَ(۵۵)

When they hear idle talk they turn aside and say: "To us our actions, to you yours. Peace on you; we do not look for the ignorant."

When they hear idle talk, they turn away from it and say, 'We have our deeds, and you your deeds. Peace be upon your We desire not the ignorant.'

28:56

اِنَّكَ لَا تَهْدِیْ مَنْ اَحْبَبْتَ وَ لٰكِنَّ اللّٰهَ یَهْدِیْ مَنْ یَّشَآءُۚ-وَ هُوَ اَعْلَمُ بِالْمُهْتَدِیْنَ(۵۶)

You cannot guide any one you like: God guides whosoever He please. He knows best who will come to guidance.

Thou guidest not whom thou likest, but God guides whom He wills, and knows very well those that are guided.

28:57

وَ قَالُوْۤا اِنْ نَّتَّبِـعِ الْهُدٰى مَعَكَ نُتَخَطَّفْ مِنْ اَرْضِنَاؕ-اَوَ لَمْ نُمَكِّنْ لَّهُمْ حَرَمًا اٰمِنًا یُّجْبٰۤى اِلَیْهِ ثَمَرٰتُ كُلِّ شَیْءٍ رِّزْقًا مِّنْ لَّدُنَّا وَ لٰكِنَّ اَكْثَرَهُمْ لَا یَعْلَمُوْنَ(۵۷)

They say: "If we followed your guidance we would be driven from the land by force." Have We not set up a sanctuary for them, to which is brought a wealth of everything as provision from Us? But most of them do not understand.

They say, 'Should we follow the guidance with thee, we shall be snatched from our land.' Have We not established for them a sanctuary secure, to which are collected the fruits of everything, as a provision from Us? But most of them know not.

28:58

وَ كَمْ اَهْلَكْنَا مِنْ قَرْیَةٍۭ بَطِرَتْ مَعِیْشَتَهَاۚ-فَتِلْكَ مَسٰكِنُهُمْ لَمْ تُسْكَنْ مِّنْۢ بَعْدِهِمْ اِلَّا قَلِیْلًاؕ-وَ كُنَّا نَحْنُ الْوٰرِثِیْنَ(۵۸)

How many habitations that had come to boast of their resources have We destroyed? These their dwellings were never inhabited except rarely after them; and they came back to Us.

How many a city We have destroyed that flourished in insolent ease! Those are their dwelling-places, undwelt in after them, except a little; Ourselves are the inheritors.

28:59

وَ مَا كَانَ رَبُّكَ مُهْلِكَ الْقُرٰى حَتّٰى یَبْعَثَ فِیْۤ اُمِّهَا رَسُوْلًا یَّتْلُوْا عَلَیْهِمْ اٰیٰتِنَاۚ-وَ مَا كُنَّا مُهْلِكِی الْقُرٰۤى اِلَّا وَ اَهْلُهَا ظٰلِمُوْنَ(۵۹)

But your Lord does not destroy habitations without having sent an apostle to their metropolis to read out Our commandments to them. We would never have destroyed cities if their inhabitants were not given to wickedness.

Yet thy Lord never destroyed the cities until He sent in their mother-city a Messenger, to recite Our signs unto them; and We never destroyed the cities, save that their inhabitants were evildoers.

28:60

وَ مَاۤ اُوْتِیْتُمْ مِّنْ شَیْءٍ فَمَتَاعُ الْحَیٰوةِ الدُّنْیَا وَ زِیْنَتُهَاۚ-وَ مَا عِنْدَ اللّٰهِ خَیْرٌ وَّ اَبْقٰىؕ-اَفَلَا تَعْقِلُوْنَ۠(۶۰)

Whatsoever has been given you is the stuff this life is made of, and only its embellishment. What is with your Lord is better and abiding. Will you not understand?

Whatever thing you have been given is the enjoyment of the present life and its adornment; and what is with God is better and more enduring.

28:61

اَفَمَنْ وَّعَدْنٰهُ وَعْدًا حَسَنًا فَهُوَ لَاقِیْهِ كَمَنْ مَّتَّعْنٰهُ مَتَاعَ الْحَیٰوةِ الدُّنْیَا ثُمَّ هُوَ یَوْمَ الْقِیٰمَةِ مِنَ الْمُحْضَرِیْنَ(۶۱)

Can one who was given a better promise, which he will find come true, be like him who was given a little enjoyment of this life, but who will afterwards be brought (to judgement) on the Day of Resurrection?

Will you not understand? What, is he to whom We have promised a fair promise, and he receives it, like him to whom We have given the enjoyment of the present life, then he on the Resurrection Day shall be of those that are arraigned?

28:62

وَ یَوْمَ یُنَادِیْهِمْ فَیَقُوْلُ اَیْنَ شُرَكَآءِیَ الَّذِیْنَ كُنْتُمْ تَزْعُمُوْنَ(۶۲)

That day God will call them and ask: "Where are they you imagined were My compeers?"

Upon the day when He shall call to them, and He shall say, 'Where now are My associates whom you were asserting?'

28:63

قَالَ الَّذِیْنَ حَقَّ عَلَیْهِمُ الْقَوْلُ رَبَّنَا هٰۤؤُلَآءِ الَّذِیْنَ اَغْوَیْنَاۚ-اَغْوَیْنٰهُمْ كَمَا غَوَیْنَاۚ-تَبَرَّاْنَاۤ اِلَیْكَ٘-مَا كَانُوْۤا اِیَّانَا یَعْبُدُوْنَ(۶۳)

Those against whom the sentence is justified will say: "O Lord, these are those we had led astray as we had ourselves gone astray. We clear ourselves before You: They never worshipped us."

Those against whom the Word is realized they shall say, 'Our Lord, those whom we perverted, we perverted them even as we ourselves erred. We declare our innocence unto Thee; it was not us that they were serving.'

28:64

وَ قِیْلَ ادْعُوْا شُرَكَآءَكُمْ فَدَعَوْهُمْ فَلَمْ یَسْتَجِیْبُوْا لَهُمْ وَ رَاَوُا الْعَذَابَۚ-لَوْ اَنَّهُمْ كَانُوْا یَهْتَدُوْنَ(۶۴)

(The sinners) will be told: "Invoke your partners." They will call on them, but they will not answer; and they will see the torment (and wish) if only they had come to guidance.

It shall be said, 'Call you now upon your associates!' And they will call upon them, but they shall not answer them, and they shall see the chastisement-ah, if they had been guided!

28:65

وَ یَوْمَ یُنَادِیْهِمْ فَیَقُوْلُ مَا ذَاۤ اَجَبْتُمُ الْمُرْسَلِیْنَ(۶۵)

(God) will ask them on that day: "What answer did you give the apostles?"

Upon the day when He shall call to them, and He shall say, 'What answer gave you to the Envoys?'

28:66

فَعَمِیَتْ عَلَیْهِمُ الْاَنْۢبَآءُ یَوْمَىٕذٍ فَهُمْ لَا یَتَسَآءَلُوْنَ(۶۶)

Then all news will be blacked out for them, and they will not even ask one another.

Upon that day the tidings will be darkened for them, nor will they ask each other.

28:67

فَاَمَّا مَنْ تَابَ وَ اٰمَنَ وَ عَمِلَ صَالِحًا فَعَسٰۤى اَنْ یَّكُوْنَ مِنَ الْمُفْلِحِیْنَ(۶۷)

But he who repents and believes and does good things may well be among the successful.

But as for him who repents, and believes, and works righteousness, haply he shall be among the prosperers.

28:68

وَ رَبُّكَ یَخْلُقُ مَا یَشَآءُ وَ یَخْتَارُؕ-مَا كَانَ لَهُمُ الْخِیَرَةُؕ-سُبْحٰنَ اللّٰهِ وَ تَعٰلٰى عَمَّا یُشْرِكُوْنَ(۶۸)

Your Lord creates what He wills and chooses. The good is not for them to choose. Too holy and high is God for what they associate with Him.

Thy Lord creates whatsoever He will and He chooses; they have not the choice. Glory be to God! High be He exalted above that they associate!

28:69

وَ رَبُّكَ یَعْلَمُ مَا تُكِنُّ صُدُوْرُهُمْ وَ مَا یُعْلِنُوْنَ(۶۹)

Your Lord well knows what they hide in their breasts and what they disclose.

And thy Lord knows what their breasts conceal and what they publish.

28:70

وَ هُوَ اللّٰهُ لَاۤ اِلٰهَ اِلَّا هُوَؕ-لَهُ الْحَمْدُ فِی الْاُوْلٰى وَ الْاٰخِرَةِ٘-وَ لَهُ الْحُكْمُ وَ اِلَیْهِ تُرْجَعُوْنَ(۷۰)

He is God. There is no god but He. His alone is praise first and last, and His the judgement, and to Him will you be brought back in the end.

And He is God; there is no god but He. His is the praise in the former as in the latter; His too is the Judgment, and unto Him you shall be returned.

28:71

قُلْ اَرَءَیْتُمْ اِنْ جَعَلَ اللّٰهُ عَلَیْكُمُ الَّیْلَ سَرْمَدًا اِلٰى یَوْمِ الْقِیٰمَةِ مَنْ اِلٰهٌ غَیْرُ اللّٰهِ یَاْتِیْكُمْ بِضِیَآءٍؕ-اَفَلَا تَسْمَعُوْنَ(۷۱)

Say: "Just think, if God were to cover you up with night for ever until the Day of Doom, what other god apart from God will give you light? Why do you not pay heed?"

Say: 'What think you? If God should make the night unceasing over you, until the Day of Resurrection, what god other than God shall bring you illumination? Will you not hear?'

28:72

قُلْ اَرَءَیْتُمْ اِنْ جَعَلَ اللّٰهُ عَلَیْكُمُ النَّهَارَ سَرْمَدًا اِلٰى یَوْمِ الْقِیٰمَةِ مَنْ اِلٰهٌ غَیْرُ اللّٰهِ یَاْتِیْكُمْ بِلَیْلٍ تَسْكُنُوْنَ فِیْهِؕ-اَفَلَا تُبْصِرُوْنَ(۷۲)

Say: "Just think. If God were to make the day perpetual till the Day of Resurrection, what other god but God would bring you night for rest? Why do you not reflect?

Say: 'What think you? If God should make the day unceasing over you, until the Day of Resurrection, what god other than God shall bring you night to repose in? Will you not see?

28:73

وَ مِنْ رَّحْمَتِهٖ جَعَلَ لَكُمُ الَّیْلَ وَ النَّهَارَ لِتَسْكُنُوْا فِیْهِ وَ لِتَبْتَغُوْا مِنْ فَضْلِهٖ وَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُوْنَ(۷۳)

Yet in His benevolence He made you night and day that you may rest and seek His bounty during them, and haply maybe grateful."

Of His mercy He has appointed for you night and day, for you to repose in and seek after His bounty, that haply you will be thankful.'

28:74

وَ یَوْمَ یُنَادِیْهِمْ فَیَقُوْلُ اَیْنَ شُرَكَآءِیَ الَّذِیْنَ كُنْتُمْ تَزْعُمُوْنَ(۷۴)

Upon a day He will call them and ask: "Where are they you imagined were My compeers?"

Upon the day when He shall call. to them, and He shall say, 'Where now are My associates whom you were asserting?'

28:75

وَ نَزَعْنَا مِنْ كُلِّ اُمَّةٍ شَهِیْدًا فَقُلْنَا هَاتُوْا بُرْهَانَكُمْ فَعَلِمُوْۤا اَنَّ الْحَقَّ لِلّٰهِ وَ ضَلَّ عَنْهُمْ مَّا كَانُوْا یَفْتَرُوْنَ۠(۷۵)

And We shall single out one witness from each community and say: "Bring your proof." Then will they know that God´s is the judgement, and what they contrived will avail them not in the least.

And We shall draw out from every nation a witness, and say, 'Produce your proof!' Then will they know that Truth is God's, and there shall go astray from them that they were forging.

28:76

اِنَّ قَارُوْنَ كَانَ مِنْ قَوْمِ مُوْسٰى فَبَغٰى عَلَیْهِمْ۪-وَ اٰتَیْنٰهُ مِنَ الْكُنُوْزِ مَاۤ اِنَّ مَفَاتِحَهٗ لَتَنُوْٓاُ بِالْعُصْبَةِ اُولِی الْقُوَّةِۗ-اِذْ قَالَ لَهٗ قَوْمُهٗ لَا تَفْرَحْ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ لَا یُحِبُّ الْفَرِحِیْنَ(۷۶)

Verily Qarun was of Moses´ people, but he began to oppress them. We had given him treasures, so many that a team of wrestlers could hardly lift their keys. His people said to him: "Do not be exultant. God does not like those who exult.

Now Korah was of the people of Moses; he became insolent to them, for We had given him treasures such that the very keys of them were too heavy a burden for a company of men endowed with strength. When his people said to him, 'Do not exult; God loves not those that exult;

28:77

وَ ابْتَغِ فِیْمَاۤ اٰتٰىكَ اللّٰهُ الدَّارَ الْاٰخِرَةَ وَ لَا تَنْسَ نَصِیْبَكَ مِنَ الدُّنْیَا وَ اَحْسِنْ كَمَاۤ اَحْسَنَ اللّٰهُ اِلَیْكَ وَ لَا تَبْغِ الْفَسَادَ فِی الْاَرْضِؕ-اِنَّ اللّٰهَ لَا یُحِبُّ الْمُفْسِدِیْنَ(۷۷)

So seek the abode of the Hereafter through what God has given you, and do not forget your part in this world. Do good to others as God has done good to you, and do not try to spread corruption in the land. Surely God does not like corrupters."

but seek, amidst that which God has given thee, the Last Abode, and forget not thy portion of the present world; and do good, as God has been good to thee.' And seek not to work corruption in the earth; surely God loves not the workers of corruption.'

28:78

قَالَ اِنَّمَاۤ اُوْتِیْتُهٗ عَلٰى عِلْمٍ عِنْدِیْؕ-اَوَ لَمْ یَعْلَمْ اَنَّ اللّٰهَ قَدْ اَهْلَكَ مِنْ قَبْلِهٖ مِنَ الْقُرُوْنِ مَنْ هُوَ اَشَدُّ مِنْهُ قُوَّةً وَّ اَكْثَرُ جَمْعًاؕ-وَ لَا یُسْــٴَـلُ عَنْ ذُنُوْبِهِمُ الْمُجْرِمُوْنَ(۷۸)

He said: "This has come to me through my own acumen." Did he not know that God had destroyed many generations before him who possessed far more acumen than he, and more wealth? The sinners will not be asked about their sins.

He said, 'What I have been given is only because of a knowledge that is in me.' What, did he not know that God bad destroyed before him generations of men stronger than he ill might, and more numerous in multitude? And yet the sinners shall not be questioned concerning their sins.

28:79

فَخَرَ جَ عَلٰى قَوْمِهٖ فِیْ زِیْنَتِهٖؕ-قَالَ الَّذِیْنَ یُرِیْدُوْنَ الْحَیٰوةَ الدُّنْیَا یٰلَیْتَ لَنَا مِثْلَ مَاۤ اُوْتِیَ قَارُوْنُۙ-اِنَّهٗ لَذُوْ حَظٍّ عَظِیْمٍ(۷۹)

Then he came before his people in all pomp; and those enamoured of this world, said: "Ah would that we had what Qarun has been given! He indeed possesses great good fortune."

So he went forth unto his people in his adornment. Those who desired the present life said, 'Would that we possessed the like of that Korah has been given! Surely he is a man of mighty fortune.

28:80

وَ قَالَ الَّذِیْنَ اُوْتُوا الْعِلْمَ وَیْلَكُمْ ثَوَابُ اللّٰهِ خَیْرٌ لِّمَنْ اٰمَنَ وَ عَمِلَ صَالِحًاۚ-وَ لَا یُلَقّٰىهَاۤ اِلَّا الصّٰبِرُوْنَ(۸۰)

But those who knew better, said: "Alack-a-day! God´s guerdon is better for those who believe and do the right. Only those who persevere will receive it."

But those to whom knowledge had been given said, 'Woe upon you! The reward of God is better for him who believes, and works righteousness; and none shall receive it except the steadfast.'