People pray as earnestly to gain evil as one should to gain virtue. But people are hasty. 11 We have made night and day as two signs. We made the sign of the night devoid of light, and made the sign of the day radiant that you may seek the bounty of your Lord and know the computation of years and numbers. Thus We have expounded everything in detail to keep everything distinct from the other. 12 We have fastened every man's omen to his neck. On the Day of Resurrection We shall produce for him his scroll in the shape of a wide open book, (saying): 13 It will say, "Read your record, today there will be none but yourself to call you to account!" 14 "He who finds the right path does so for himself; and he who goes astray does so to his own loss; and no one who carries a burden bears another's load. We never punish till We have sent a messenger. 15 And when We decide to destroy a town (population), We (first) send a definite order (to obey Allah and be righteous) to those among them [or We (first) increase in number those of its population] who are given the good things of this life. Then, they transgress therein, and thus the word (of torment) is justified against it (them). Then We destroy it with complete destruction. 16 "How many generations have We laid low after Noah, for your Lord knows and notices well enough the sins of His creatures. 17 Whoever desires (only) the enjoyment of this life will receive it if We want it to be so. Then We will make Hell his reward wherein he will suffer, despised and driven away from Our mercy. 18 But whoever desires the Hereafter and exerts the effort due to it while he is a believer - it is those whose effort is ever appreciated [by Allah]. 19 Each do We supply, both these and those, from the bounty of thy Lord. And the bounty of thy Lord can never be walled up. 20 Consider how We have given preference to some people above others, yet the life to come has more honor and respect. 21 Do not set up any other god with Allah lest you are rendered humiliated and helpless. 22