AND SET FORTH unto them a parable - [the story of how] the people of a township [behaved] when [Our] message-bearers came unto them. 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 The people said, "You are mere mortals like us and the Beneficent God has sent nothing. You are only liars." 15 They answered: Our Lord knoweth that we are indeed sent unto you, 16 And our duty is but plain conveyance (of the message). 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 They said: your evil augury be with you. Call ye it an ill-luck because ye are admonished! Aye! ye are a people extravagant. 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 ask of you no fee, and who are rightly guided. 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 Surely in that case I should indeed be in evident error. 24 “Indeed I have believed in your Lord, so heed me.” 25 It was said (unto him): Enter paradise. He said: Would that my people knew 26 With what (munificence) my Lord hath pardoned me and made me of the honoured ones! 27 ۞ We sent not down against his people after him a host from heaven, nor do We ever send. 28 It was not but one shout, and immediately they were extinguished. 29 Ah! Alas for (My) Servants! There comes not a messenger to them but they mock 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 without exception, all of them will be brought forth before Us. 32