Indeed, We sent Noah to his people, and he tarried among them a thousand years, all but fifty; so the Flood seized them, while they were evildoers. 14 And We rescued him and those with him in the ship, and made of it a portent for the peoples. 15 And (We sent) Ibrahim, when he said to his people: Serve Allah and be careful of (your duty to) Him; this is best for you, if you did but know: 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 seen how God begins the creation and then turns it back? This is not difficult at all for God. 19 (Muhammad), say to them, "Travel through the land and see how He has begun the creation and how He will invent the next life. God has power over all things. 20 He punishes whom He will and shows mercy to whom He pleases. And to Him you shall be returned. 21 You are not able to frustrate Him either in the earth or heaven, nor have you, other than Allah, a guardian or helper. 22