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 sent to them two but they denied them, so We strengthened them with a third, and they said, "Indeed, we are messengers to you." 14 They replied, "You are nothing but mortal men like us and the Merciful God has not revealed anything. You are surely lying." 15 They said: "Our Lord doth know that we have been sent on a mission to you: 16 and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.” 17 (The people of the city) said: We augur ill of you. If ye desist not, we shall surely stone you, and grievous torture will befall you at our hands. 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 uttermost part of the city a man running. He cried: O my people! Follow those who have been sent! 20 Follow those who ask no reward of you, and themselves are rightly guided! 21 Why should I not serve the One Who created me and to Whom all of you shall be sent back? 22 “What! Shall I appoint Gods other than Allah? So that if the Most Gracious should wish me any harm, their intercession would be of no use to me, nor would they be able to save me?” 23 Surely in that case I should indeed be in evident error. 24 "For me, I have faith in the Lord of you (all): listen, then, to me!" 25 It was said: "Enter thou the Garden." He said: "Ah me! Would that my People knew (what I know)!- 26 how my Lord has forgiven me and placed me among the honoured ones!" 27 ۞ We did not send an army against his people from the heaven after his death nor did We need to send one. 28 it was but one great blast and they fell down lifeless. 29 How regretful for the servants. There did not come to them any messenger except that they used to ridicule him. 30 Do they not see how many generations We have destroyed before them? Never shall they return to them. 31 all shall be arraigned before Us. 32