And Our messengers came unto Abraham with good news. They said: Peace! He answered: Peace! and delayed not to bring a roasted calf. 69 And when he saw their hands reached not to it, he mistrusted them and conceived a fear of them. They said: Fear not! Lo! we are sent unto the folk of Lot. 70 And his wife, standing [nearby,] laughed [with happiness]; whereupon We gave her the glad tiding of [the birth of] Isaac and after Isaac, of [his son] Jacob. 71 She said: Oh for me shall bring forth when I am old, and this my husband is advanced in years! Verily a marvellous thing is this! 72 They said: 'Do you wonder at Allah's decree? Allah's mercy and His blessings be upon you, O people of the house. Surely, He is Praiseworthy, Glorious.' 73 When the fear had left Abraham, and the glad tidings had been conveyed to him, he began to plead with Us for Lot's people, 74 Lo! Abraham was mild, imploring, penitent. 75 "Desist from pleading, O Abraham," (they said). "Your Lord's command has verily been issued, and a punishment that cannot be averted is bound to fall on them." 76 When Our messengers came to Lot, he was uneasy on this account and felt powerless to protect them. He said, "This is a dreadful day." 77 And his people came rushing towards him, and since aforetime they used to commit crimes (sodomy, etc.), he said: "O my people! Here are my daughters (i.e. the daughters of my nation), they are purer for you (if you marry them lawfully). So fear Allah and degrade me not as regards my guests! Is there not among you a single right-minded man?" 78 They said: "You know we have no need for your daughters, and know well what we want." 79 He said: 'Would that I were powerful over you, or might take refuge in a strong pillar' 80 They said: O Lut! we are the apostles of your Lord; they shall by no means reach you; so remove your followers in a part of the night-- and let none of you turn back-- except your wife, for surely whatsoever befalls them shall befall her; surely their appointed time is the morning; is not the morning nigh? 81 So when Our commandment came to pass We overthrew (that township) and rained upon it stones of clay, one after another, 82 marked by your Lord. Such a punishment is not far away from the unjust people. 83