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 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 They said: You are naught but mortals like ourselves, nor has the Beneficent Allah revealed anything; you only lie. 15 They said: 'Our Lord knows that we are Messengers to you. 16 And on us is naught but manifest preaching. 17 but they answered, "We see an evil omen in you. If you do not stop, we shall certainly stone you, and you will suffer a painful punishment at our hands." 18 They said: "Your evil omens are with yourselves: (deem ye this an evil omen). If ye are admonished? Nay, but ye are a people transgressing all bounds!" 19 At that, a man came running from the farthest end of the city, [and] exclaimed: "O my people! Follow these message-bearers! 20 follow those who ask no wage of you and 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 “What! Shall I appoint Gods other than Allah? So that if the Most Gracious should wish me any harm, their intercession would be of no use to me, nor would they be able to save me?” 23 "Then verily, I should be in plain error. 24 I believe in your Lord, so hear me' 25 It was said to him, “Enter Paradise”; he said, “If only my people knew!” 26 for what reason Allah has forgiven me and placed me among the honoured ones.” 27 ۞ And after that, no host out of heaven did We send down against his people, nor did We need to send down any: 28 It was but one shout, and lo! they were extinct. 29 Woe to human beings! Whenever a Messenger came to them, they mocked him. 30 Have they not seen how many nations before them did We destroy? Thereafter they never came back to them. 31 and [that] all of them, all together, will [in the end] before Us be arraigned? 32