to the truth gave the lie,before their time, the people of Noah and, after them, all those [others] who were leagued together [against God's message-bearers];1 and each of those cornmunities schemed against the apostle sent unto them,2 aiming to lay hands on him; and they contended [against his message] with fallacious arguments, so as to render void the truth thereby: but then I took them to task - and how awesome was My retribution!