Strike for them a similitude -- the inhabitants of the city, when the Envoys came to it; 13 We sent to them two, but they belied them so We reinforced them with a third. They said: 'We have surely been sent as Messengers to you' 14 They said: Ye are but mortals like unto us. The Beneficent hath naught revealed. Ye do but lie! 15 (The messengers) said: "Our Lord knows that we have been sent to you. 16 "And our duty is only to proclaim the clear 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 They said: Your evil augury be with you! Is it because ye are reminded (of the truth)? Nay, but ye are froward folk! 19 Then there came running, from the farthest part of the City, a man, saying, "O my people! Obey the messengers: 20 Follow those who ask no recompense of you and are rightly guided. 21 For what cause should I not serve Him Who hath created me, and unto Whom ye will be brought back? 22 What! Shall I take any deities apart from Him whose intercession will not avail me the least were the Merciful One to bring any adversity upon me, nor will they be able to rescue me? 23 In that case I would surely be in clear error. 24 “Indeed I have believed in your Lord, so heed me.” 25 (Eventually they killed him and he was told): “Enter Paradise.” The man exclaimed: “Would that my people knew 26 With what (munificence) my Lord hath pardoned me and made me of the honoured ones! 27 ۞ And after him, We did not send down any army from heaven against his people, nor did We intend to send down an army. 28 nothing was [needed] but one single blast [of Our punishment] - and lo! they became as still and silent as ashes. 29 Alas for human beings! They ridicule every messenger that comes to them. 30 Have they not seen how many generations, living before them, had We destroyed and they cannot ever come back to them? 31 They will all be brought into Our presence together. 32