The prayer that man should make for good, he maketh for evil; for man is given to hasty (deeds). 11 We have appointed the night and the day as two signs; then We have blotted out the sign of the night, and made the sign of the day to see, and that you may seek bounty from your Lord, and that you may know the number of the years, and the reckoning; and everything We have distinguished very distinctly. 12 Round each man's neck We have hung his ledger of deeds, and on the Day of Resurrection will present it as a book spread out (and say): 13 Read thine book; sufficeth today thy soul against thee as a reckoner. 14 One who follows guidance does so for himself and one who goes astray does so against his soul. No one will suffer for the sins of others. We have never punished anyone without sending them Our Messenger first. 15 When We decide to destroy a population, We (first) send a definite order to those among them who are given the good things of this life and yet transgress; so that the word is proved true against them: then (it is) We destroy them utterly. 16 "How many generations have We laid low after Noah, for your Lord knows and notices well enough the sins of His creatures. 17 Whoever desires (only) the enjoyment of this life will receive it if We want it to be so. Then We will make Hell his reward wherein he will suffer, despised and driven away from Our mercy. 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 We provide help to all – to these and to those, by the bestowal of your Lord; and there is no constraint on the bestowal of your Lord. 20 See how We have preferred some above others. Yet the Everlasting Life is greater in rank and greater in preferment. 21 Do not set up any other deity beside God, lest you incur disgrace, and be forsaken. 22