People pray as earnestly to gain evil as one should to gain virtue. But people are hasty. 11 We have appointed the night and the day as two signs; then We have blotted out the sign of the night, and made the sign of the day to see, and that you may seek bounty from your Lord, and that you may know the number of the years, and the reckoning; and everything We have distinguished very distinctly. 12 And every man's augury have We fastened to his own neck, and We shall bring forth for him on the Day of Resurrection a book which he will find wide open. 13 We will tell him, "Read it and judge for yourself." 14 One who follows guidance does so for himself and one who goes astray does so against his soul. No one will suffer for the sins of others. We have never punished anyone without sending them Our Messenger first. 15 When We decide to destroy a town, We command the affluent section of its people, but they transgress therein; thus the word [sentence of punishment] is justified, then We destroy the town utterly. 16 How many generations have We destroyed since Noah! Your Lord suffices as One who is Aware of and sees the sins of His worshipers. 17 Whoever desires this present life, We hasten to him therein what We please for whomsoever We desire, then We assign to him the hell; he shall enter it despised, driven away. 18 But he who desires the Hereafter and strives for it in the manner he should, and is a true believer, his striving will come to fruition. 19 We provide help to all – to these and to those, by the bestowal of your Lord; and there is no constraint on the bestowal of your Lord. 20 Behold, how We prefer some of them over others! And surely the world to come is greater in ranks, greater in preferment. 21 Set not up with Allah any other god (O man) lest thou sit down reproved, forsaken. 22