Give to them a parable; to the people of the village there came Messengers, 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 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 said, "Indeed, we consider you a bad omen. If you do not desist, we will surely stone you, and there will surely touch you, from us, a painful punishment." 18 The Messengers replied: “Your evil omen is with you. (Are you saying this) because you were asked to take heed? The truth is that you are a people who have exceeded all bounds.” 19 And there came from the farthest end of the city a man, running. He said, "O my people, follow the messengers. 20 follow those who ask no wage of you and are rightly guided. 21 And what aileth me that I should not worship Him who hath created me, and unto whom ye shall be returned. 22 Should I worship other gods besides Him? If the Beneficent God was to afflict me with hardship, the intercession of the idols can be of no benefit to me nor could it rescue me from hardship. 23 "Then verily, I should be in plain error. 24 I believe 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 that my Lord has forgiven me, and caused me to be amongst the receivers of generosity' 27 ۞ And We did not send down upon his people after him any soldiers from the heaven, nor would We have done so. 28 It was only one Cry and lo, they were silent and still. 29 Alas for the servants! there comes not to them an apostle but they mock at him. 30 Have they not considered how many generations We destroyed before them - that they to them will not return? 31 And surely all, every one of them, shall be brought before Us. 32