Strike for them a similitude -- the inhabitants of the city, when the Envoys came to it; 13 What time We sent unto them two, then they belied the twain, wherefore We strengthened them with a third, and they said: verily we are unto you the sent ones. 14 The people of the town said: “You are only human beings like ourselves, and the Merciful Lord has revealed nothing. You are simply lying.” 15 They said: Our Lord knows that we are most surely apostles to you. 16 And nothing devolves on us but a clear deliverance (of the message). 17 They answered: 'We predict evil of you. If you do not desist, we will stone you and a painful punishment from us will befall you' 18 They said: 'Your prediction is with you, if you are reminded. Surely, you are but a wayward nation' 19 And from the remote part of the city there came a man running, he said: O my people! follow the apostles; 20 Follow those who do not ask of you [any] payment, and they are [rightly] guided. 21 "It would not be reasonable in me if I did not serve Him Who created me, and to Whom ye shall (all) be brought back. 22 What, shall I take, apart from Him, gods whose intercession, if the All-merciful desires affliction for me, shall not avail me anything, and who will never deliver me? 23 and so, behold, I would have indeed, most obviously, lost myself in error! 24 I believe in your Lord; so listen to me.” 25 It was said: enter thou the Garden. He said: would that my people knew. 26 how my Lord has forgiven me and placed me among the honoured ones!" 27 ۞ And We sent not down upon his people, after him, any host out of heaven; neither would We send any down. 28 nothing was [needed] but one single blast [of Our punishment] - and lo! they became as still and silent as ashes. 29 OH, THE REGRETS that [most] human beings will have to bear! Never has an apostle come to them without their deriding him! 30 Do they not see how many of the generations We have destroyed before them? Verily, they will not return to them. 31 And surely, all, everyone of them will be brought before Us. 32