And assuredly We sent Nuh unto his people. Then he tarried among them for a thousand years, save fifty years; and then deluge overtook them, while they were wrong-doers. 14 And We rescued him and the people aboard the ship, and made the ship a sign for the entire world. 15 And Abraham, [too, was inspired by Us] when he said unto his people: "Worship God, and be conscious of Him: this is the best for you, if you but knew it! 16 Ye only worship images instead of Allah, and ye create a falsehood. Verily those whom ye worship instead of Allah own no provision for you. Wherefore seek with Allah provision, and worship Him, and give thanks unto Him: unto Him ye shall be returned. 17 "And if ye reject (the Message), so did generations before you: and the duty of the messenger is only to preach publicly (and clearly)." 18 Observe they not what wise Allah originateth creation? And then He shall restore it. Verily for Allah that is easy. 19 Say: "Go all over the earth and behold how [wondrously] He has created [man] in the first instance: and thus, too, will God bring into being your second life for, verily, God has the power to will anything! 20 He punisheth whom He will and showeth mercy unto whom He will, and unto Him ye will be turned. 21 You cannot defeat His purpose on earth or in heaven; nor have you any friend or helper besides God." 22