AND HAS the story of Abraham's honoured guests ever come within thy ken? 24 When they entered upon him, they said: Peace. Peace, said he, a strange people. 25 Then he turned aside to his family secretly and brought a fat (roasted) calf, 26 and placed it before them. "Will you not eat?" he said, 27 He felt afraid of them; but they said: "Have no fear," and gave him the good news of a wise son. 28 His wife came forward, crying and beating her face, saying, "I am an old barren woman!" 29 'Such, says your Lord' they replied: 'He is the Wise, the Knower' 30 ۞ Abraham asked, "Messengers, what is your task?" 31 They said, "We have been sent to a people (deep) in sin;- 32 to let loose upon them stone-hard blows of chastisement, 33 Marked, from before thy Lord, for the extravagant. 34 So We removed the people who had faith, from that town. 35 We found in it only one household of true believers -- 36 and We left therein a sign for those who fear a painful punishment. 37 And in Moses [was a sign], when We sent him to Pharaoh with clear authority. 38 But (Pharaoh) turned back with his Chiefs, and said, "A sorcerer, or one possessed!" 39 So We seized him and his hosts and flung them in the sea, for he was reprobate. 40 And in Aad. We let loose on them a withering wind 41 It left out nothing in its path, but which it split up into fragments. 42 There is also a Sign for you in (the story of) Thamud. They were told: “Enjoy yourselves for a while.” 43 But they rebelled against the command of their Lord. So the thunderbolt overtook them while they looked on: 44 So they were not able to stand, nor could they help themselves. 45 And [We destroyed] the people of Noah before; indeed, they were a people defiantly disobedient. 46