To my Lord only must their account be given: would that ye understood this!

And I will not thrust away those who believe,

For I am only one charged with plain warnings.”

They said, “Now unless thou desist, O Noah, one of the stoned shalt thou surely be.”

He said, “Lord! my people treat me as a liar:

Decide thou therefore a decision between me and them, and rescue me and the faithful who are with me.”

So we saved him and those who were with him in the fullyladen ark,

And afterwards we drowned the rest.

Herein truly was a sign, but most of them believed not.

But thy Lord!—He is the Mighty, the Merciful.

The Adites¹³ treated their Apostles as liars,

When their brother Houd said to them, “Will ye not fear God?

I am your Apostle, worthy of all credit;

Fear God then and obey me:

I ask for no reward for this; for my reward is of the Lord of the Worlds alone.

What! build ye landmarks on all heights in mere pastime?

And raise ye structures to be your lasting abodes?¹⁴

And when ye put forth your power do ye put it forth with harshness?

Fear ye God then and obey me;

And fear ye Him who hath plenteously betowed on you ye well know what:

Plenteously bestowed on you flocks and children,

And gardens and fountains;

Indeed I fear for you the punishment of a tremendous day.”

They said, “It is the same to us whether thou warn or warn us not.

This is but a tale of the ancients,

And we are not they who shall be punished.”

And they charged him with imposture; and we destroyed them. In this was a sign: but most of them believed not.

But thy Lord!—He is the Mighty, the Merciful!