١BEHOLD. We sent Noah unto his people. [saying:] "Warn thy people ere grievous suffering befall them!
٢[And Noah] said: "O my people! I am but a plain warner to you, [sent to tell you]
٣that you should worship God [alone] and be conscious of Him. "Now do pay heed unto me,
٤so that He may forgive you some of your sins, and grant you respite until a term known [to Him alone]: but, behold, when the term appointed by God does come, it can never be put back - if you but knew it!"
٥[And after a time, Noah] said: "O my Sustainer! Verily, I have been calling unto my people night and day
٦but my call has only caused them to flee farther and farther away [from Thee].
٧And behold, whenever I called unto them with a view to Thy granting them forgiveness, they put their fingers into their ears, and wrapped themselves up in their garments [of sin]; and grew obstinate, and became [yet more] arrogant in their false pride.
٨"And behold I called unto them openly;
٩and, behold I preached to them in public; and I spoke to them secretly, in private;
١٠and I said: "'Ask your Sustainer to forgive you your sins - for, verily, He is all-forgiving!