AND INDEED, [it was with the same message that] We sent forth Noah unto his people: "Behold, I come unto you with the plain warning 25 Serve you none but God. I fear for you the chastisement of a painful day.' 26 The leaders of his people, who refused to acknowledge the truth, said, "We regard you only as a human being like ourselves. We do not see that anyone follows you but the lowliest of us, those of immature judgement. We see no superior merit in you; in fact we believe you are a liar." 27 Said [Noah]: "O my people! What do you think? If [it be true that I am taking my stand on a clear evidence from my Sustainer, who has vouchsafed unto me grace from Himself - [a revelation] to which you have remained blind: [if this be true,] can we force it on you even though it be hateful to you? 28 "And O my people! I ask of you no wealth for it, my reward is from none but Allah. I am not going to drive away those who have believed. Surely, they are going to meet their Lord, but I see that you are a people that are ignorant. 29 "And O my people! who would help me against Allah if I drove them away? Will ye not then take heed? 30 And I say not unto you that with me are the treasures of Allah, nor that I know the Unseen; nor I say I am an angel. And I say not of those whom your eyes condemn that Allah shall not bestow on them good - Allah knoweth best that which is in their souls. Verily in that case I would be of the wrong-doers. 31 They said, 'Noah, thou hast disputed with us and make much disputation with us. Then bring us that thou promisest us, if thou speakest truly.' 32 He said: "Only Allah will bring it (the punishment) on you, if He will, and then you will escape not. 33 "Of no profit will be my counsel to you, much as I desire to give you (good) counsel, if it be that Allah willeth to leave you astray: He is your Lord! and to Him will ye return!" 34 Or say they (again): He hath invented it? Say: If I have invented it, upon me be my crimes, but I am innocent of (all) that ye commit. 35