We (once) sent Noah to his people, and he tarried among them a thousand years less fifty: but the Deluge overwhelmed them while they (persisted in) sin. 14 So We delivered him and the inmates of the ark, and made it a sign to the nations. 15 Abraham told his people, "Worship God and have fear of Him. It is better for you if only you knew it. 16 You only serve, apart from God, idols and you create a calumny; those you serve, apart from God, have no power to provide for you. So seek after your provision with God, and serve Him, and be thankful to Him; unto Him you shall be returned. 17 "And if you give [me] the lie - well, [other] communities have given the lie [to God's prophets] before your time: but no more is an apostle bound to do than clearly deliver the message [entrusted to him]." 18 Do they not see how God originates creation, then reverts it back? This is indeed how inevitably the law of God works; 19 Say (O Muhammad): Travel in the land and see how He originated creation, then Allah bringeth forth the later growth. Lo! Allah is Able to do all things. 20 He punishes whom He will and shows mercy to whom He pleases. And to Him you shall be returned. 21 Escape Him you cannot either in the earth or in the sky; and you have no friend or helper apart from God. 22