Set forth to them, by way of a parable, the (story of) the Companions of the City. Behold!, there came messengers to it. 13 When We sent them two messengers, they rejected them both, so We strengthened them with a third. They said, "Truly, we have been sent to you [by God] as messengers." 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 we are Envoys unto you; 16 and it is only for us to deliver the Manifest Message.' 17 They said: Surely we augur evil from you; if you do not desist, we will certainly stone you, and there shall certainly afflict you a painful chastisement from us. 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 And there came from the uttermost part of the city a man running. He cried: O my people! Follow those who have been sent! 20 Follow those who ask no recompense of you and are rightly guided. 21 "Why should I not worship Him who has brought me into being, and to whom you shall all be recalled? 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 Indeed, I would then be in manifest error. 24 “Indeed I have believed in your Lord, so heed me.” 25 (But they stoned him to death.) It was said to him: "Enter Paradise;" and he said: "If only my people knew 26 (wherein he said), "Would that people knew how my Lord has granted me forgiveness and honor". 27 ۞ And after that, no host out of heaven did We send down against his people, nor did We need to send down any: 28 It was but one Shout, and lo! they were extinct. 29 Ah, woe for those servants! Never comes unto them a Messenger, but they mock at him. 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