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 two of them they called them liars; so We sent a third to strengthen them. "We have been sent to you," they said. 14 "You are only men like us," they replied; "Ar-Rahman has not sent down any thing. You are speaking only lies." 15 They said: Our Lord knows that we are most surely apostles to you. 16 And our duty is only to convey the message to you clearly," 17 They said: verily we augur ill of you; if ye desist not, we shall surely stone you, and there will befall you from us a torment afflictive. 18 They said, 'Your augury is with you; if you are reminded? But you are a prodigal people.' 19 And from the outermost part of the city came a man running; he said, “O my people! Obey those who have been sent.” 20 Follow those who ask of you no fee, and who are rightly guided. 21 And what aileth me that I should not worship Him who hath created me, and unto whom ye shall be returned. 22 Should I take to worshipping [other] deities beside Him? [But then,] if the Most Gracious should will that harm befall me, their intercession could not in the least avail me, nor could they save me: 23 Surely in that case I should indeed be in evident error. 24 "Verily, [O my people,] in the Sustainer of you all have I come to believe: listen, then, to me!" 25 It was said, "Enter Paradise." He said, "I wish my people could know 26 that my Lord has forgiven me and that He has placed me among the honoured.' 27 ۞ We did not send down any army against his people from heaven, nor did We have to send one. 28 It was just one scream, and with it they were extinguished. 29 How regretful for the servants. There did not come to them any messenger except that they used to ridicule him. 30 Have they not seen how many generations have We destroyed before them who will not return again? 31 But each one of them all - will be brought before Us (for judgment). 32