And present to them an example: the people of the city, when the messengers came to it - 13 When We sent to them two but they denied them, so We strengthened them with a third, and they said, "Indeed, we are messengers to you." 14 They said: ye are but human beings like ourselves; the Compassionate hath not sent down aught; ye are only lying. 15 They answered: Our Lord knoweth that we are indeed sent unto you, 16 but we are not bound to do more than clearly deliver the message [entrusted to us]." 17 (The people of the city) said: We augur ill of you. If ye desist not, we shall surely stone you, and grievous torture will befall you at our hands. 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 uttermost part of the city a man running. He cried: O my people! Follow those who have been sent! 20 "Obey those who ask no reward of you (for themselves), and who have themselves received Guidance. 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 Should I take other than Him [false] deities [while], if the Most Merciful intends for me some adversity, their intercession will not avail me at all, nor can they save me? 23 Surely, I should then be in clear error. 24 I believe in your Lord, so listen to me." 25 We said to him, "Enter paradise," and he exclaimed: "Would that my people knew 26 "For that my Lord has granted me Forgiveness and has enrolled me among those held in honour!" 27 ۞ And We did not send down upon his people after him any soldiers from the heaven, nor would We have done so. 28 There was just one blast, and they were extinguished. 29 Woe, for those (unbelieving) worshipers! They mocked every Messenger that came to them. 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 shall every one of them be arraigned before Us. 32