AND SET FORTH unto them a parable - [the story of how] the people of a township [behaved] when [Our] message-bearers came unto them. 13 when We sent unto them two men, but they cried them lies, so We sent a third as reinforcement. They said, 'We are assuredly Envoys unto you. 14 [The others] answered: "You are nothing but mortal men like ourselves; moreover, the Most Gracious has never bestowed aught [of revelation] from on high. You do nothing but lie!" 15 They answered: Our Lord knoweth that we are indeed sent unto you, 16 and it is only for us to deliver the Manifest Message.' 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 omen is with yourselves. Is it because you were reminded? Rather, you are a transgressing people." 19 And there came running from the farthest part of the town, a man, saying: "O my people! Obey the Messengers; 20 Follow those who do not ask of you [any] payment, and they are [rightly] guided. 21 Why should I not serve the One Who created me and to Whom all of you shall be sent back? 22 Shall I take (other) gods in place of Him when, if the Beneficent should wish me any harm, their intercession will avail me naught, nor can they save? 23 Surely, I should then be in clear error. 24 Messengers, listen to me. I believe in your Lord." 25 It was said (to him): 'Enter Paradise' and he said: 'Would that my people knew 26 "That my Lord (Allah) has forgiven me, and made me of the honoured ones!" 27 ۞ We did not send an army against his people from the heaven after his death nor did We need to send one. 28 It was only a single blast which made them extinct. 29 Woe to human beings! Whenever a Messenger came to them, they mocked him. 30 Have they not seen how many generations have We destroyed before them who will not return again? 31 and [that] all of them, all together, will [in the end] before Us be arraigned? 32