And put forward to them a similitude; the (story of the) dwellers of the town, [It is said that the town was Antioch (Antakiya)], when there came Messengers to them. 13 What time We sent unto them two, then they belied the twain, wherefore We strengthened them with a third, and they said: verily we are unto you the sent ones. 14 They said: Ye are but mortals like unto us. The Beneficent hath naught revealed. Ye do but lie! 15 They said: "Our Lord doth know that we have been sent on a mission to you: 16 and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.” 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 (The messengers) said: "The augury is within your own selves. Do you (consider it a bad omen) that you should be warned? You are a people guilty of excess." 19 And there came from the farthest end of the city a man, running. He said, "O my people, follow the messengers. 20 Follow those who ask no reward of you, and themselves are rightly guided! 21 "And why should I not worship Him (Allah Alone) Who has created me and to Whom you shall be returned. 22 What! shall I take besides Him gods whose intercession, If the Beneficent Allah should desire to afflict me with a harm, shall not avail me aught, nor shall they be able to deliver me? 23 "I would indeed, if I were to do so, be in manifest Error. 24 I believe in your Lord, so hear me' 25 It was said, 'Enter Paradise!' He said, 'Ah, would that my people had knowledge 26 that my Lord has forgiven me, and caused me to be amongst the receivers of generosity' 27 ۞ And We sent not down against his People, after him, any hosts from heaven, nor was it needful for Us so to do. 28 nothing was [needed] but one single blast [of Our punishment] - and lo! they became as still and silent as ashes. 29 Alas for human beings! They ridicule every messenger that comes to them. 30 Have they not seen how many generations, living before them, had We destroyed and they cannot ever come back to them? 31 All of them shall (one day) be gathered before Us. 32