Set forth to them, by way of a parable, the (story of) the Companions of the City. Behold!, there came messengers to it. 13 Lo! We sent unto them two [apostles,] and they gave the lie to both; and so We strengthened [the two] with a third; and thereupon they said: "Behold, we have been sent unto you [by God]!" 14 The (people) said: "Ye are only men like ourselves; and (Allah) Most Gracious sends no sort of revelation: ye do nothing but lie." 15 They said, "Our Lord knows that We are Messengers 16 "And our duty is only to proclaim the clear Message." 17 Said [the others]: "Truly, we augur evil from you! Indeed, if you desist not, we will surely stone you, and grievous suffering is bound to befall you at our hands!" 18 The Messengers said, "This ill omen lies within yourselves. Will you then take heed? In fact, you are a transgressing people." 19 In the meantime a man came running from the far end of the town, saying: “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 serve the One Who created me and to Whom all of you shall be sent back? 22 Should I take to worshipping [other] deities beside Him? [But then,] if the Most Gracious should will that harm befall me, their intercession could not in the least avail me, nor could they save me: 23 Surely in that case I should indeed be in evident error. 24 "Verily, [O my people,] in the Sustainer of you all have I come to believe: listen, then, to me!" 25 We said to him, "Enter paradise," and he exclaimed: "Would that my people knew 26 "For that my Lord has granted me Forgiveness and has enrolled me among those held in honour!" 27 ۞ And We sent not down against his People, after him, any hosts from heaven, nor was it needful for Us so to do. 28 It was but one Shout, and lo! they were extinct. 29 And it was said, “Woe to those bondmen – whenever a Noble Messenger comes to them, they mock at him!” 30 See they not how many generations before them we destroyed? Not to them will they return: 31 and [that] all of them, all together, will [in the end] before Us be arraigned? 32