People pray as earnestly to gain evil as one should to gain virtue. But people are hasty. 11 We appointed the night and the day as two signs. Then, We blotted out the sign of the night and made the sign of the day to see, so that you seek the bounty of your Lord and that you know the number of years and the reckoning. And We have clearly distinguished everything. 12 And every man: We have fastened his action round his neck, and We shall bring forth unto him on the Day of Judgment a book proffered him open. 13 (It will be said to him): "Read your book. You yourself are sufficient as a reckoner against you this Day." 14 He who follows the Right Way shall do so to his own advantage; and he who strays shall incur his own loss. No one shall bear another's burden. And never do We punish any people until We send a Messenger (to make the Truth distinct from falsehood). 15 And when We intend to destroy a city, We command its affluent but they defiantly disobey therein; so the word comes into effect upon it, and We destroy it with [complete] destruction. 16 And how many a generation have We [thus] destroyed after [the time of] Noah! For, none has the like of thy Sustainer's awareness and insight into His creatures' sins. 17 For whosoever desires this fleeting life We hasten for him whatever We will and to whom We want. Then, We have prepared Gehenna for him where he will be roasted, condemned and rejected. 18 "But he who desires the Hereafter, and strives for it with a will, and is a believer, will be favoured for his endeavour. 19 Of the bounties of thy Lord We bestow freely on all- These as well as those: The bounties of thy Lord are not closed (to anyone). 20 Observe how We have given superiority to some over others; and indeed the Hereafter is the greatest in rank and the highest in excellence. 21 "Do not set up another god with God, or you will remain disgraced and destitute. 22