We sent Noah to his people. He said: "O my people, worship God, for you have no other god but He. Will you not take heed for yourselves?" 23 But the great ones among his people, who refused to acknowledge the truth, replied: "This [man] is nothing but a mortal like yourselves who wants to make himself superior to you! For, if God had willed [to convey a message unto us,] He would surely have sent down angels; [moreover,] we have never heard [anything like] this from our forebears of old! 24 He is a person who has been seized with a little madness; so wait for a while (perhaps he will improve)." 25 "O my Lord," prayed (Noah), "help me against them, for they accuse me of lies." 26 So We inspired him (with this message): "Construct the Ark within Our sight and under Our guidance: then when comes Our Command, and the fountains of the earth gush forth, take thou on board pairs of every species, male and female, and thy family, except those of them against whom the Word has already gone forth: And address Me not in favour of the wrong-doers; for they shall be drowned (in the Flood). 27 When all of you settle in the Ark, say, "Only God Who has saved us from the unjust people deserves all praise". 28 "And say: 'O my Sustainer! Cause me to reach a destination blessed [by Thee] for Thou art the best to show man how to reach his [true] destination!'" 29 In this [story,] behold, there are messages indeed [for those who think]: for, verily, We always put [man] to a test. 30 Thereafter, after them, We produced another generation, 31 Then We sent amongst them an apostle from amongst themselves, saying: worship Allah, for you there is no god but he; will ye then not fear Him? 32