And We sent Noah unto his folk (and he said): Lo! I am a plain warner unto you. 25 That you shall not serve any but Allah, surely I fear for you the punishment of a painful day. 26 The leaders of his people, who refused to acknowledge the truth, said, "We regard you only as a human being like ourselves. We do not see that anyone follows you but the lowliest of us, those of immature judgement. We see no superior merit in you; in fact we believe you are a liar." 27 He said: bethink ye, O my people! if I rested upon an evidence from my Lord, and a mercy hath come unto me from Him, and that hath been obscured unto you; shall we make you adhere to it while ye are averse thereto? 28 I do not demand for it any wealth from you, O my people. My reward is with God. And I will not drive those away who believe. They have also to meet their Lord. But I see you are an ignorant people. 29 And, O my people! who would deliver me from Allah if I thrust them away? Will ye not then reflect? 30 "And I do not say unto you, 'God's treasures are with me'; nor [do I say,] 'I know the reality which is beyond the reach of human perception'; nor do I say, 'Behold, I am an angel'; nor do I say of those whom your eyes hold in contempt, 'Never will God grant them any good' - for God is fully aware of what is in their hearts. [Were I to speak thus,] verily, I would indeed be among the evildoers." 31 They said: 'O Noah! Surely you have disputed with us and have prolonged your dispute. Now bring upon us the chastisement that you threaten us with; do so, if you are truthful.' 32 He said: "Truly, Allah will bring it on you if He wills,- and then, ye will not be able to frustrate it! 33 Nor will my sincere counsel benefit you if I sincerely desire to counsel you if Allah desires to lead you astray. He is your Lord, and to Him you shall return' 34 Or do they say: He has forged it? Say: If I have forged it, on me is my guilt, and I am clear of that of which you are guilty. 35