We sent Noah to his people. He said, "I have come to you with a clear warning: 25 Serve you none but God. I fear for you the chastisement of a painful day.' 26 The chieftains of his folk, who disbelieved, said: We see thee but a mortal like us, and we see not that any follow thee save the most abject among us, without reflection. We behold in you no merit above us - nay, we deem you liars. 27 He said, 'O my people, what think you? If I stand upon a clear sign from my Lord, and He has given me mercy from Him, and it has been obscured for you, shall we compel you to it while you are averse to it? 28 "And O my people! I ask you for no wealth in return: my reward is from none but Allah: But I will not drive away (in contempt) those who believe: for verily they are to meet their Lord, and ye I see are the ignorant ones! 29 My people! Were I to drive the men of faith away, who will protect me from (the chastisement of) Allah? Do you not understand even this much? 30 "I tell you not that with me are the treasures of Allah, nor do I know what is hidden, nor claim I to be an angel. Nor yet do I say, of those whom your eyes do despise that Allah will not grant them (all) that is good: Allah knoweth best what is in their souls: I should, if I did, indeed be a wrong-doer." 31 They said: O Nuh! indeed you have disputed with us and lengthened dispute with us, therefore bring to us what you threaten us with, if you are of the truthful ones. 32 He said, "It is God who will bring it down upon you, if He wishes, and you will not be able to escape. 33 My advice will be of no benefit to you if God wants to let you go astray. He is your Lord and to Him you will all return." 34 (Or do they say, 'He has forged it'? Say: 'If I have forged it, upon me falls my sin; and I am quit of the sins you do.') 35