And present to them an example: the people of the city, when the messengers came to it - 13 When We sent them two messengers, they rejected them both, so We strengthened them with a third. They said, "Truly, we have been sent to you [by God] as messengers." 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 indeed been sent to you 16 and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.” 17 The (people) said: "for us, we augur an evil omen from you: if ye desist not, we will certainly stone you. And a grievous punishment indeed will be inflicted on you by us." 18 They said, 'Your augury is with you; if you are reminded? But you are a prodigal people.' 19 A man came running from the farthest part of the city saying, "My people, follow the Messengers. 20 Follow those who do not ask you for any reward and who are rightly guided. 21 And what reason have I that I should not serve Him Who brought me into existence? And to Him you shall be brought back; 22 Shall I take others besides Him as gods? If the Gracious God should intend me any harm, their intercession will be of no avail, nor can they deliver me. 23 and so, behold, I would have indeed, most obviously, lost myself in error! 24 Surely I believe in your Lord, therefore hear me. 25 It was said: Enter the garden. He said: O would that my people had known 26 With what (munificence) my Lord hath pardoned me and made me of the honoured ones! 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 There was just one blast, and they were extinguished. 29 Alas for the servants! there comes not to them an apostle but they mock at him. 30 Do they not consider how many of the generations have We destroyed before them, because they do not turn to them? 31 And all of them shall surely be brought before Us. 32