And present to them an example: the people of the city, when the messengers came to it - 13 When We (first) sent to them two messengers, they rejected them: But We strengthened them with a third: they said, "Truly, we have been sent on a mission to you." 14 They said: You are naught but mortals like ourselves, nor has the Beneficent Allah revealed anything; you only lie. 15 They said, "Our Lord knows that we are messengers to you, 16 Our duty is to convey the message clearly." 17 (The people of the city) said: We augur ill of you. If ye desist not, we shall surely stone you, and grievous torture will befall you at our hands. 18 They said, “Your evil omens are with you! What! You get annoyed for being advised? In fact you are a people who transgress the limits!” 19 And there came from the farthest end of the city a man, running. He said, "O my people, follow the messengers. 20 “Obey those who do not ask any fee from you, and they are on guidance.” 21 "It would not be reasonable in me if I did not serve Him Who created me, and to Whom ye shall (all) be brought back. 22 Shall I take beside Him gods when, if the Compassionate should intend me any harm, their intercession will avail me not at all, nor would they save me? 23 In that case I shall most surely be in clear error: 24 Verily I believe now in your Lord; so hearken unto me. 25 (Eventually they killed him and he was told): “Enter Paradise.” The man exclaimed: “Would that my people knew 26 With what (munificence) my Lord hath pardoned me and made me of the honoured ones! 27 ۞ And We did not send down to his nation after him any army from heaven, neither would We send any down. 28 It was naught but a single cry, and lo! they were still. 29 Alas for My servants! Never does a Messenger come to them but they mock him. 30 Have they not seen how many generations We destroyed before them? They shall never return to them, 31 They will all be brought together before Us. 32