(Such were the circumstances) when We sent forth Noah to his people. (He said): 'I have been sent to you to warn you plainly 25 worship none but God. I fear lest punishment befall you on a woeful 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 He said: bethink ye, O my people! if I rested upon an evidence from my Lord, and a mercy hath come unto me from Him, and that hath been obscured unto you; shall we make you adhere to it while ye are averse thereto? 28 My people! I seek no recompense from you. My recompense is only with Allah. Nor will I drive away those who believe. They are destined to meet their Lord. But I find you to be an ignorant people. 29 And O my people, who would protect me from Allah if I drove them away? Then will you not be reminded? 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 [But the great ones] said: "O Noah! Thou hast contended with us in argument, and hast [needlessly] prolonged our controversy: bring upon us, therefore, that with which thou dost threaten us, if thou art a man of truth!" 32 He said, "It is God who will bring it down upon you, if He wishes, and you will not be able to escape. 33 Nor will my sincere counsel benefit you if I sincerely desire to counsel you if Allah desires to lead you astray. He is your Lord, and to Him you shall 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