We sent Noah to his people and he lived with them for nine hundred and fifty years, then the flood engulfed them for their injustice. 14 And We rescued him and those with him in the ship, and made of it a portent for the peoples. 15 And Abraham! (Remember) when he said unto his folk: Serve Allah, and keep your duty unto Him; that is better for you if ye 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 ye belie me, then communities before you have belied: and upon the apostle is naught but a preaching manifest. 18 Have they not seen how God begins the creation and then turns it back? This is not difficult at all for God. 19 Say, [O Muhammad], "Travel through the land and observe how He began creation. Then Allah will produce the final creation. Indeed Allah, over all things, is competent." 20 He punishes whom He will and shows mercy to whom He pleases. And to Him you shall be returned. 21 You cannot defeat His purpose on earth or in heaven; nor have you any friend or helper besides God." 22