And certainly We sent Nuh to his people, so he remained among them a thousand years save fifty years. And the deluge overtook them, while they were unjust. 14 So We delivered him and the inmates of the ark, and made it a sign to the nations. 15 And Abraham, [too, was inspired by Us] when he said unto his people: "Worship God, and be conscious of Him: this is the best for you, if you but knew it! 16 "For ye do worship idols besides Allah, and ye invent falsehood. The things that ye worship besides Allah have no power to give you sustenance: then seek ye sustenance from Allah, serve Him, and be grateful to Him: to Him will be your return. 17 And if you reject (the truth), nations before you did indeed reject (the truth); and nothing is incumbent on the apostle but a plain delivering (of the message). 18 Do they not see how God originates creation, then reproduces it? That surely is easy 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 punisheth whom He will and showeth mercy unto whom He will, and unto Him ye will be turned. 21 You cannot defeat His purpose on earth or in heaven; nor have you any friend or helper besides God." 22