There came Our messengers to Abraham with glad tidings. They said, "Peace!" He answered, "Peace!" and hastened to entertain them with a roasted calf. 69 But when he saw that their hands did not reach towards it, he was wary and became fearful of them, but they said: 'Do not be afraid. We are sent to the nation of Lot' 70 His wife (Sarah), who was standing nearby, laughed. Thereupon, We gave her the good news of Isaac, and after Isaac of Jacob. 71 She said: Oh for me shall bring forth when I am old, and this my husband is advanced in years! Verily a marvellous thing is this! 72 They said: 'Do you wonder at Allah's decree? Allah's mercy and His blessings be upon you, O people of the house. Surely, He is Praiseworthy, Glorious.' 73 When Abraham had controlled his fear and received the glad news, he started to plead with Us for the people of Lot; 74 Indeed, Abraham was forbearing, grieving and [frequently] returning [to Allah]. 75 Thereupon (Our angels) said to him: 'O Abraham! Desist from this, for indeed your Lord's command has come; and a chastisement which cannot be averted is about to befall them.' words literally suggest; the purpose is merely to express a sense of wonder. 76 And when Our messengers came unto Lot, he was distressed and knew not how to protect them. He said: This is a distressful day. 77 And his people came rushing towards him, and since aforetime they used to commit crimes (sodomy, etc.), he said: "O my people! Here are my daughters (i.e. the daughters of my nation), they are purer for you (if you marry them lawfully). So fear Allah and degrade me not as regards my guests! Is there not among you a single right-minded man?" 78 They replied, "You know we have no need of your daughters. You know very well what we are seeking." 79 He said: 'Would that I had the strength to set you straight, or could seek refuge in some powerful support.' 80 They said: O Lut! we are the apostles of your Lord; they shall by no means reach you; so remove your followers in a part of the night-- and let none of you turn back-- except your wife, for surely whatsoever befalls them shall befall her; surely their appointed time is the morning; is not the morning nigh? 81 Then when Our decree came to pass, We turned the upside thereof downward, and We rained thereon stones of baked clay, piled up. 82 Marked with fire in the providence of thy Lord (for the destruction of the wicked). And they are never far from the wrong-doers. 83