Strike for them a similitude -- the inhabitants of the city, when the Envoys came to it; 13 We sent to them two, but they belied them so We reinforced them with a third. They said: 'We have surely been sent as Messengers to you' 14 The people said, "You are mere mortals like us and the Beneficent God has sent nothing. You are only liars." 15 The Messengers said: "Our Lord knows that we have been sent as Messengers to you, 16 and it is only for us to deliver the Manifest Message.' 17 They said: Surely we augur evil from you; if you do not desist, we will certainly stone you, and there shall certainly afflict you a painful chastisement from us. 18 They said: 'Your prediction is with you, if you are reminded. Surely, you are but a wayward nation' 19 And from the outermost part of the city came a man running; he said, “O my people! Obey those who have been sent.” 20 Follow him who does not ask you for reward, and they are the followers of the right course; 21 For what cause should I not serve Him Who hath created me, and unto Whom ye will be brought back? 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 "Then verily, I should be in plain error. 24 Verily! I have believed in your Lord, so listen to me!" 25 We said to him, "Enter paradise," and he exclaimed: "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 nothing was [needed] but one single blast [of Our punishment] - and lo! they became as still and silent as ashes. 29 And it was said, “Woe to those bondmen – whenever a Noble Messenger comes to them, they mock at him!” 30 Have they not seen how many nations before them did We destroy? Thereafter they never came back to them. 31 They will all be brought together before Us. 32