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 (first) sent to them two messengers, they rejected them: But We strengthened them with a third: they said, "Truly, we have been sent on a mission to you." 14 The (people) said: "Ye are only men like ourselves; and (Allah) Most Gracious sends no sort of revelation: ye do nothing but lie." 15 They said, 'Our Lord knows we are Envoys unto you; 16 Our duty is to convey the message clearly." 17 They (people) said: "For us, we see an evil omen from you, if you cease not, we will surely stone you, and a painful torment will touch you from us." 18 They (Messengers) said: "Your evil omens be with you! (Do you call it "evil omen") because you are admonished? Nay, but you are a people Musrifun (transgressing all bounds by committing all kinds of great sins, and by disobeying Allah). 19 A man came running from the farthest part of the city saying, "My people, follow the Messengers. 20 Follow those who ask of you no fee, and who are rightly guided. 21 And why should I not serve Him who originated me, and unto whom you shall be returned? 22 Should I take to worshipping [other] deities beside Him? [But then,] if the Most Gracious should will that harm befall me, their intercession could not in the least avail me, nor could they save me: 23 In that case I shall most surely be in clear error: 24 Verily I believe now in your Lord; so hearken unto me. 25 It was said, 'Enter Paradise!' He said, 'Ah, would that my people had knowledge 26 Of how my Lord has forgiven me and placed me among the honored." 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 It was naught but a single cry, and lo! they were still. 29 Alas for mankind! There never came a Messenger to them but they used to mock at him. 30 Have they not seen how many generations We destroyed before them, which will not return to them? 31 And surely all, every one of them, shall be brought before Us. 32