We sent Noah to his people to give them the clear warning 25 that they should not worship anyone besides God. (Noah warned them), "I am afraid that you will suffer the most painful torment". 26 But the great ones among his people, who refused to acknowledge the truth, answered: "We do not see in thee anything but a mortal man like ourselves; and we do not see that any follow thee save those who are quite obviously the most abject among us; and we do not see that you could be in any way superior to us: on the contrary, we think that you are liars!" 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 My people I do not ask any payment for what I preach to you. No one except God has to give me any reward. I do not drive away those who have faith (in my teaching); they will all receive mercy from their Lord. I know that you are ignorant people. 29 And O my people, who would protect me from Allah if I drove them away? Then will you not be reminded? 30 And I say not unto you that with me are the treasures of Allah, nor that I know the Unseen; nor I say I am an angel. And I say not of those whom your eyes condemn that Allah shall not bestow on them good - Allah knoweth best that which is in their souls. Verily in that case I would be of the wrong-doers. 31 They said: 'O Noah, you have disputed, and disputed too much, with us. Bring (down) upon us that which you promised us, if what you say is true' 32 He replied: 'Allah will bring it (down) upon you if He will; you will never frustrate Him. 33 Even if I wish to advise you aright, my counsel will not profit you if God intend that you go astray, for He is your Lord and to Him you will return." 34 DO SOME, perchance, assert, "[Muhammad] has invented this [story]"? Say [O Prophet]: "If I have invented it, upon me be this sin; but far be it from me to commit the sin of which you are guilty." 35