And certainly Our apostles came to Ibrahim with good news. They said: Peace. Peace, said he, and he made no delay in bringing a roasted calf. 69 But when he saw that their hands did not reach towards it, he was wary and became fearful of them, but they said: 'Do not be afraid. We are sent to the nation of Lot' 70 And his wife was standing by and she started laughing*, so We gave her glad tidings regarding Ishaq, and following Ishaq, regarding Yaqub.** (* She was glad that the disbelieving people of Lut would be destroyed.** The birth of these two.) 71 She said: "Woe betide me! Will I give birth when I am old and this my husband be aged? This is indeed surprising!" 72 They said: "Dost thou wonder at Allah's decree? The grace of Allah and His blessings on you, o ye people of the house! for He is indeed worthy of all praise, full of all glory!" 73 When Abraham had controlled his fear and received the glad news, he started to plead with Us for the people of Lot; 74 For Abraham was, without doubt, forbearing (of faults), compassionate, and given to look to Allah. 75 Thereupon (Our angels) said to him: 'O Abraham! Desist from this, for indeed your Lord's command has come; and a chastisement which cannot be averted is about to befall them.' words literally suggest; the purpose is merely to express a sense of wonder. 76 AND WHEN Our messengers came unto Lot, he was sorely grieved on their account, seeing that it was beyond his power to shield them; and he exclaimed: "This is a woeful day!" 77 And his people came running to him, impelled towards his house [by their desire]: for they had ever been wont to commit [such,] abominations. Said [Lot]: "O my people! [Take instead] these daughters of mine: they are purer for you [than men]! Be, then, conscious of God, and disgrace me not by [assaulting] my guests. Is there not among you even one right-minded man?" 78 They said, "You have already known that we have not concerning your daughters any claim, and indeed, you know what we want." 79 He said, "If only I had against you some power or could take refuge in a strong support." 80 (The messengers) said: O Lot! Lo! we are messengers of thy Lord; they shall not reach thee. So travel with thy people in a part of the night, and let not one of you turn round - (all) save thy wife. Lo! that which smiteth them will smite her (also). Lo! their tryst is (for) the morning. Is not the morning nigh? 81 When Our command came, We turned that town upside down and We rained upon it stones of clay, layer upon layer, 82 Marked from your Lord, and they are not ever far from the Zalimun (polytheists, evil-doers, etc.). 83