We sent Noah to his people, and he lived with them a thousand years minus fifty. Then they were caught by the deluge for they were evil. 14 But We saved him and those who were with him in the Ark and made the event a sign for mankind. 15 And Abraham! (Remember) when he said unto his folk: Serve Allah, and keep your duty unto Him; that is better for you if ye did but know. 16 "For ye do worship idols besides Allah, and ye invent falsehood. The things that ye worship besides Allah have no power to give you sustenance: then seek ye sustenance from Allah, serve Him, and be grateful to Him: to Him will be your return. 17 "And if you give [me] the lie - well, [other] communities have given the lie [to God's prophets] before your time: but no more is an apostle bound to do than clearly deliver the message [entrusted to him]." 18 See they not how Allah originates creation, then repeats it: truly that is easy for Allah. 19 Say: "Go all over the earth and behold how [wondrously] He has created [man] in the first instance: and thus, too, will God bring into being your second life for, verily, God has the power to will anything! 20 He punishes whom He will and shows mercy to whom He pleases. And to Him you shall be returned. 21 You cannot defeat His purpose on earth or in heaven; nor have you any friend or helper besides God." 22