People pray as earnestly to gain evil as one should to gain virtue. But people are hasty. 11 We have made the Night and the Day as two (of Our) Signs: the Sign of the Night have We obscured, while the Sign of the Day We have made to enlighten you; that ye may seek bounty from your Lord, and that ye may know the number and count of the years: all things have We explained in detail. 12 And We have attached the destiny of every man to his neck; and We shall bring forth a register for him on the Day of Resurrection, which he will find open. 13 (And it will be said unto him): Read thy Book. Thy soul sufficeth as reckoner against thee this day. 14 Whoever is guided is only guided for [the benefit of] his soul. And whoever errs only errs against it. And no bearer of burdens will bear the burden of another. And never would We punish until We sent a messenger. 15 When We decide to destroy a population, We (first) send a definite order to those among them who are given the good things of this life and yet transgress; so that the word is proved true against them: then (it is) We destroy them utterly. 16 "How many generations have We laid low after Noah, for your Lord knows and notices well enough the sins of His creatures. 17 For whosoever desires this fleeting life We hasten for him whatever We will and to whom We want. Then, We have prepared Gehenna for him where he will be roasted, condemned and rejected. 18 "But he who desires the Hereafter, and strives for it with a will, and is a believer, will be favoured for his endeavour. 19 Upon all, both these [who desire the world] and those [who desire the Hereafter] We bestow the bounty of your Lord: none shall be denied the bounty of your Lord -- 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 another god with God, or you will remain disgraced and destitute. 22