We sent Noah to his people and he lived among them for fifty short of a thousand years; then the deluge overtook them, for they were wrongdoers. 14 So We delivered him and the inmates of the ark, and made it a sign to the nations. 15 And [We sent] Abraham, when he said to his people, "Worship Allah and fear Him. That is best for you, if you should 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 Tell them, "Roam the earth and see how He originated creation. Then God will bring into being your second life. God has power over all things. 20 He punishes whom He will, and shows mercy to whom He will, and to Him you will be returned. 21 You cannot defeat His purpose on earth or in heaven; nor have you any friend or helper besides God." 22