And We had certainly sent Noah to his people, and he said, "O my people, worship Allah; you have no deity other than Him; then will you not fear Him?" 23 But the eminent among those who disbelieved from his people said, "This is not but a man like yourselves who wishes to take precedence over you; and if Allah had willed [to send a messenger], He would have sent down angels. We have not heard of this among our forefathers. 24 "He is only a man in whom is madness, so wait for him a while." 25 [Nuh (Noah)] said: "O my Lord! Help me because they deny me." 26 Thereupon We inspired him thus: "Build, under Our eyes and according to Our inspiration, the ark [that shall save thee and those who follow thee]. And when Our judgment comes to pass, and waters gush forth in torrents over the face of the earth, place on board of this [ark] one pair of each [kind of animal] of either sex, as well as thy family - excepting those on whom sentence has already been passed; and do not appeal to Me [any more] in behalf of those who are bent on evildoing - for, behold, they are destined to be drowned! 27 And then when you and those accompanying you are firmly seated in the Ark, say: "Thanks be to Allah Who has delivered us from the wrong-doing people." 28 And say: "My Lord! Cause me to land at a blessed landing-place, for You are the Best of those who bring to land." 29 In this story there is enough evidence (of the Truth); thus do We try (mankind) 30 Then We produced after them a generation of others. 31 So We sent among them an apostle from among them, saying: Serve Allah, you have no god other than Him; will you not then guard (against evil)? 32