People pray as earnestly to gain evil as one should to gain virtue. But people are hasty. 11 And We have appointed the night and the day as two signs; then We blurred the sign of the night and made the sign of the day illuminating that ye may seek grace from your Lord, and that ye may know the number of the years and the reckoning; and everything We have detailed in full details. 12 Every man's fate We have fastened on his own neck: On the Day of Judgment We shall bring out for him a scroll, which he will see spread open. 13 It will say, "Read your record, today there will be none but yourself to call you to account!" 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 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 If anyone desires immediate benefits, We hasten to grant whatever benefits We will in the present life to whomsoever We please, but thereafter We decree for him Hell wherein he shall burn, condemned and rejected. 18 And whosoever desires the world to come and strives after it as he should, being a believer -- those, their striving shall be thanked. 19 All do We aid-- these as well as those-- out of the bounty of your Lord, and the bounty of your Lord is not confined. 20 Behold thou! how We have preferred some of them over some others; and surely: the Hereafter is greater in degrees and greater in preferment. 21 Do not associate with Allah any other god, lest you sit down despised, neglected. 22