And propound thou unto them the similitude of the inhabitants of a town, when there came thereto the sent ones. 13 When We sent unto them twain, and they denied them both, so We reinforced them with a third, and they said: Lo! we have been sent unto 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 that we are most surely apostles to you. 16 who have been sent to you. Our only duty is to preach clearly to you". 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 reward of you, and themselves are rightly guided! 21 "[As for me,] why should I not worship Him who has brought me into being, and to whom you all 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 Indeed, I would then be in manifest error. 24 Indeed, I have believed in your Lord, so listen to me." 25 We said to him, "Enter paradise," and he exclaimed: "Would that my people knew 26 how my Sustainer has forgiven me [the sins of my past,] and has placed me among the honoured ones!" 27 ۞ And We sent not down upon his people, after him, any host out of heaven; neither would We send any down. 28 It was not but one shout, and immediately they were extinguished. 29 Alas for the servants! there comes not to them an apostle but they mock at him. 30 Have they not seen how many generations We destroyed before them, which will not return to them? 31 And without exception, all of them will be brought forth before Us. 32