And propound thou unto them the similitude of the inhabitants of a town, when there came thereto the sent ones. 13 When We (first) sent to them two messengers, they rejected them: But We strengthened them with a third: they said, "Truly, we have been sent on a mission to you." 14 They said: Ye are but mortals like unto us. The Beneficent hath naught revealed. Ye do but lie! 15 They said, "Our Lord knows that We are Messengers 16 And we are not responsible except for clear notification." 17 They (the people of the city) said, “We think you are ominous; indeed, if you do not desist, we shall surely stone you to death, and you will surely face a grievous torture at our hands.” 18 (The messengers) said: "The augury is within your own selves. Do you (consider it a bad omen) that you should be warned? You are a people guilty of excess." 19 At that, a man came running from the farthest end of the city, [and] exclaimed: "O my people! Follow these message-bearers! 20 Follow those who do not ask for any recompense of you, and are rightly guided. 21 "Why should I not worship God who has created me? To him you will all return. 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 "Then verily, I should be in plain error. 24 Messengers, listen to me. I believe in your Lord." 25 It was said: "Enter thou the Garden." He said: "Ah me! Would that my People knew (what I know)!- 26 Of how my Lord has forgiven me and placed me among the honored." 27 ۞ And We did not send down to his nation after him any army from heaven, neither would We send any down. 28 There was but a single Blast and suddenly they became silent and still. 29 Woe to human beings! Whenever a Messenger came to them, they mocked him. 30 What, have they not seen how many generations We have destroyed before them, and that it is not unto them that they return? 31 And without exception, all of them will be brought forth before Us. 32