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 When We sent unto them twain, and they denied them both, so We reinforced them with a third, and they said: Lo! we have been sent unto you. 14 They said: ye are but human beings like ourselves; the Compassionate hath not sent down aught; ye are only lying. 15 They said: "Our Lord doth know that we have been sent on a mission to you: 16 And on us is naught but manifest preaching. 17 They rejoined: "We feel you augur ill. If you do not desist, we shall stone you to death, and inflict a grievous punishment on you." 18 They said: your evil augury be with you. Call ye it an ill-luck because ye are admonished! Aye! ye are a people extravagant. 19 In the meantime a man came running from the far end of the town, saying: “My people, follow the Messengers; 20 follow those who ask no wage of you and are rightly guided. 21 "Why should I not worship God who has created me? To him you will all return. 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 would surely be in clear error. 24 Indeed, I have believed in your Lord, so listen to me." 25 (But they stoned him to death.) It was said to him: "Enter Paradise;" and he said: "If only my people knew 26 Of how my Lord has forgiven me and placed me among the honored." 27 ۞ We did not send down any army against his people from heaven, nor did We have to send one. 28 There was just one blast, and they were extinguished. 29 Alas for human beings! They ridicule every messenger that comes to them. 30 Behold they not how many We have destroyed before them of the generations! verily unto them they shall not return. 31 They shall every one of them be arraigned before Us. 32