People pray as earnestly to gain evil as one should to gain virtue. But people are hasty. 11 We have created night and day as two signs, then We efface the sign of the night, and make the sign of the day resplendent that you may seek the bounty of your Lord, and know the computation of years and numbers. We have expounded most distinctly everything. 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 "Read your ledger; this day you are sufficient to take your own account. 14 Whosoever is guided, is only guided to his own gain, and whosoever goes astray, it is only to his own loss; no soul laden bears the load of another. We never chastise, until We send forth a Messenger. 15 And when We would destroy a township We send commandment to its folk who live at ease, and afterward they commit abomination therein, and so the Word (of doom) hath effect for it, and we annihilate it with complete annihilation. 16 How many a generation have We destroyed after Nuh; and sufficeth for the offences of His bondmen thy Lord as the Aware, the Beholder. 17 If anyone desires immediate benefits, We hasten to grant whatever benefits We will in the present life to whomsoever We please, but thereafter We decree for him Hell wherein he shall burn, condemned and rejected. 18 And whosoever desires the world to come and strives after it as he should, being a believer -- those, their striving shall be thanked. 19 Each group will receive its share of your Lord's generosity. Your Lord's generosity is not limited. 20 Behold, how We prefer some of them over others! And surely the world to come is greater in ranks, greater in preferment. 21 Do not consider anything equal to God lest you will become despised and neglected. 22