And propound thou unto them the similitude of the inhabitants of a town, when there came thereto the sent ones. 13 When We sent to them two, they rejected both of them, then We strengthened (them) with a third, so they said: Surely we are apostles to you. 14 They said, 'You are naught but mortals like us; the All-merciful has not sent down anything. You are speaking only lies.' 15 They said: 'Our Lord knows that we are Messengers to you. 16 And on us is naught but manifest preaching. 17 They said, 'We augur ill of you. If you give not over, we will stone you and there shall visit you from us a painful chastisement.' 18 They said, "Your evil augury be with you! Is it because you are admonished about the truth? Surely, you are a people transgressing all bounds!" 19 Then a man came running from the other side of the city. "O my people," he said, "follow the messengers. 20 "Obey those who ask no reward of you (for themselves), and who have themselves received 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 would surely be in clear error. 24 Verily I believe now in your Lord; so hearken unto me. 25 (But they stoned him to death.) It was said to him: "Enter Paradise;" and he said: "If only my people knew 26 that my Lord has forgiven me, and caused me to be amongst the receivers of generosity' 27 ۞ We did not send down any army against his people from heaven, nor did We have to send one. 28 it was but one great blast and they fell down lifeless. 29 Woe to human beings! Whenever a Messenger came to them, they mocked him. 30 Are they not aware of how many a generation We have destroyed before their time, [and] that those [that have perished] will never return to them, 31 all shall be arraigned before Us. 32