Set forth to them, by way of a parable, the (story of) the Companions of the City. Behold!, there came messengers to it. 13 When We sent unto them twain, and they denied them both, so We reinforced them with a third, and they said: Lo! we have been sent unto you. 14 "You are only men like us," they replied; "Ar-Rahman has not sent down any thing. You are speaking only lies." 15 The Messengers said: "Our Lord knows that we have been sent as Messengers to you, 16 who have been sent to you. Our only duty is to preach clearly to you". 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 omen is with yourselves. Is it because you were reminded? Rather, you are a transgressing people." 19 And there came from the farthest end of the city a man, running. He said, "O my people, follow the messengers. 20 Follow him who does not ask you for reward, and they are the followers of the right course; 21 Why should I not worship Him who has originated me and to whom you shall all be returned? 22 Should I take other than Him [false] deities [while], if the Most Merciful intends for me some adversity, their intercession will not avail me at all, nor can they save me? 23 Surely in that case I should be in manifest error. 24 Indeed, I have believed in your Lord, so listen to me." 25 [And] he was told, "[Thou shalt] enter paradise!" - [whereupon] he exclaimed: "Would that my people knew 26 “The manner in which my Lord has pardoned me and made me of 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 It was only a single blast which made them extinct. 29 Alas for the servants! there comes not to them an apostle but they mock at him. 30 Have they not seen how many generations We destroyed before them? They shall never return to them, 31 They shall every one of them be arraigned before Us. 32