And We certainly sent Noah to his people, and he remained among them a thousand years minus fifty years, and the flood seized them while they were wrongdoers. 14 But We saved him and those who were with him in the Ark and made the event a sign for mankind. 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 You worship idols besides God and fabricate falsehoods. Those whom you worship besides God have no power to provide sustenance for you. So seek your sustenance from God and worship Him and be grateful to Him, for to Him you shall return. 17 If you, (pagans), call our (revelations) lies, certainly many generations living before you have also done the same thing. The duty of a Messenger is only to preach clearly. 18 (Have they not seen how God originates creation, then brings it back again? Surely that is an easy matter for God. 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 chastises whom He will and forgives whom He will. To Him all of you will be sent back. 21 You cannot challenge God in the heavens or in the earth. No one besides God is your guardian or helper. 22