We sent Noah to his people, and he lived with them a thousand years minus fifty. Then they were caught by the deluge for they were evil. 14 Then We rescued Noah together with the people in the Ark and made it (that is, the Ark) a lesson for all people. 15 And Abraham! (Remember) when he said unto his folk: Serve Allah, and keep your duty unto Him; that is better for you if ye did but know. 16 You worship only [lifeless] idols instead of God, and [thus] you give visible shape to a lie! Behold, those [things and beings] that you worship instead of God have it not in their power to provide sustenance for you: seek, then, all [your] sustenance from God, and worship Him [alone] and be grateful to Him: [for] unto Him you shall be brought back! 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 What! do they not consider how Allah originates the creation, then reproduces it? Surely that is easy to Allah. 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 pleases, and He grants Mercy to whom He pleases, and towards Him are ye turned. 21 You cannot challenge God in the heavens or in the earth. No one besides God is your guardian or helper. 22