We sent Noah to his people and he lived with them for nine hundred and fifty years, then the flood engulfed them for their injustice. 14 Then We rescued Noah together with the people in the Ark and made it (that is, the Ark) a lesson for all people. 15 And We sent Ibrahim. Recall what time he said unto his people: worship Allah, and fear Him; that is best for you if ye but knew. 16 You worship only [lifeless] idols instead of God, and [thus] you give visible shape to a lie! Behold, those [things and beings] that you worship instead of God have it not in their power to provide sustenance for you: seek, then, all [your] sustenance from God, and worship Him [alone] and be grateful to Him: [for] unto Him you shall be brought back! 17 "And if you deny, then nations before you have denied (their Messengers). And the duty of the Messenger is only to convey (the Message) plainly." 18 Have they not considered how Allah begins creation and then repeats it? Indeed that, for Allah, is easy. 19 Say, [O Muhammad], "Travel through the land and observe how He began creation. Then Allah will produce the final creation. Indeed Allah, over all things, is competent." 20 "He punishes whom He pleases, and He grants Mercy to whom He pleases, and towards Him are ye turned. 21 and never - not on earth and not in the skies - can you [hope to] elude Him: and you have none to protect you from God, and none to bring you succour." 22