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 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 ourselves, nor has the Beneficent Allah revealed anything; you only lie. 15 (The messengers) said: "Our Lord knows that we have been sent to you. 16 "And our duty is only to convey plainly (the Message)." 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 The Messengers said, "This ill omen lies within yourselves. Will you then take heed? In fact, you are a transgressing people." 19 And there came from the farthest end of the city a man, running. He said, "O my people, follow the messengers. 20 Follow him who does not ask you for reward, and they are the followers of the right course; 21 Why should I not worship Him who has originated me and to whom you shall all be returned? 22 What, shall I take, other than Him, gods whose intercession, if the Merciful desires to afflict me, cannot help me at all, and they will never save me? 23 Indeed, I would then be in manifest error. 24 Lo! I have believed in your Lord, so hear me! 25 (Having been murdered by the disbelievers) he was told to enter paradise 26 for what reason Allah has forgiven me and placed me among the honoured ones.” 27 ۞ And We did not send down to his nation after him any army from heaven, neither would We send any down. 28 It was only one Shout and they were silent, still. 29 Ah! Alas for (My) Servants! There comes not a messenger to them but they mock him! 30 See they not how many generations before them we destroyed? Not to them will they return: 31 And without exception, all of them will be brought forth before Us. 32