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 We sent to them two, but they belied them so We reinforced them with a third. They said: 'We have surely been sent as Messengers to you' 14 They said, "You are not but human beings like us, and the Most Merciful has not revealed a thing. You are only telling lies." 15 They said: Our Lord knows that we are most surely apostles to you. 16 And nothing devolves on us but a clear deliverance (of the message). 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 (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 not of you any hire, and who 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 "Shall I take (other) gods besides Him? If (Allah) Most Gracious should intend some adversity for me, of no use whatever will be their intercession for me, nor can they deliver me. 23 (Had I worshipped things besides God, I would have been in manifest error). 24 "For me, I have faith in the Lord of you (all): listen, then, to me!" 25 It was said (unto him): Enter paradise. He said: Would that my people knew 26 That my Lord hath forgiven me, and hath made me of the honoured ones. 27 ۞ And We sent not against his people after him a host from heaven, nor do We send (such a thing). 28 It was no more than a single mighty Blast, and behold! they were (like ashes) quenched and silent. 29 Ah! Alas for (My) Servants! There comes not a messenger to them but they mock 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 All of them shall (one day) be gathered before Us. 32