Narrate to them the example of the people of the city when the messengers came to it. 13 We sent to them two Messengers and they rejected both of them as liars. Then We strengthened them with a third (Messenger). They said: “We have been sent to you as Messengers.” 14 They said: Ye are but mortals like unto us. The Beneficent hath naught revealed. Ye do but lie! 15 They said, 'Our Lord knows we are Envoys unto you; 16 "And our duty is only to convey plainly (the Message)." 17 They said: verily we augur ill of you; if ye desist not, we shall surely stone you, and there will befall you from us a torment afflictive. 18 [The apostles] replied: "Your destiny, good or evil, is [bound up] with yourselves! [Does it seem evil to you] if you are told to take [the truth] to heart? Nay, but you are people who have wasted their own selves!" 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 do not ask any recompense from you and are rightly-guided. 21 For what cause should I not serve Him Who hath created me, and unto Whom ye will be brought back? 22 What, shall I take, apart from Him, gods whose intercession, if the All-merciful desires affliction for me, shall not avail me anything, and who will never deliver me? 23 In that case I shall most surely be in clear error: 24 "For me, I have faith in the Lord of you (all): listen, then, to me!" 25 [And] he was told, "[Thou shalt] enter paradise!" - [whereupon] 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 did not send down any army against his people from heaven, nor did We have to send one. 28 It was only one Cry and lo, they were silent and still. 29 And it was said, “Woe to those bondmen – whenever a Noble Messenger comes to them, they mock at him!” 30 What, have they not seen how many generations We have destroyed before them, and that it is not unto them that they return? 31 They will all be brought together before Us. 32