And certainly We sent Nuh to his people, and he said: O my people! serve Allah, you have no god other than Him; will you not then guard (against evil)? 23 But the great ones among his people, who refused to acknowledge the truth, replied: "This [man] is nothing but a mortal like yourselves who wants to make himself superior to you! For, if God had willed [to convey a message unto us,] He would surely have sent down angels; [moreover,] we have never heard [anything like] this from our forebears of old! 24 (And some said): "He is only a man possessed: wait (and have patience) with him for a time." 25 Noah said, "My Lord, help me! for they have rejected me," 26 So We asked him to build the ark under Our eyes and guidance, (and said): "When Our command is issued and the source of water boils over, put a pair of every species in it, and your family except those for whom Our sentence has been passed already; and do not speak to Me for those who are wicked: They will be drowned. 27 And when you have boarded the ship, you and those with you, then say, 'Praise to Allah who has saved us from the wrongdoing people.' 28 "And say: 'O my Sustainer! Cause me to reach a destination blessed [by Thee] for Thou art the best to show man how to reach his [true] destination!'" 29 Verily in this there are Signs (for men to understand); (thus) do We try (men). 30 Then, after them, We brought forth another generation; 31 And we sent among them a messenger of their own, saying: Serve Allah, Ye have no other Allah save Him. Will ye not ward off (evil)? 32