AND HAS the story of Abraham's honoured guests ever come within thy ken? 24 When they came to him, they said: "Peace." He answered: "Peace." They were a people he did not recognise. 25 Then he went apart unto his housefolk so that they brought a fatted calf; 26 And placing it before them said: "Won't you eat?" 27 He began to feel afraid. They said, "Do not be afraid," and then gave him the glad news of the birth of a knowledgeable son. 28 (Sarah) his wife came with an exclamation and clasped her face, and said: 'Surely, I am a barren old woman' 29 They said: even so saith thine Lord. Verily He! He is the Wise, the Knower. 30 ۞ Said he, 'And what is your business, envoys?' 31 They replied, "We have been sent to a sinful people 32 That we may send upon them stones of clay, 33 Marked, from before thy Lord, for the extravagant. 34 Then We brought forth such as were therein of the believers. 35 But We found there but one house of those surrendered (to Allah). 36 and We left therein a Sign for those who fear the grievous chastisement. 37 And in Musa also was a lesson, when We sent him unto Fir'awn with authority manifest. 38 Then he turned away with his court, and said: a magician or a madman. 39 So We seized him and his hosts, and We cast them into the sea, and he blameworthy. 40 There is also a Sign for you in (the story of) Ad, when We let loose upon them an ominous wind 41 It spared nothing that it reached, but blew it into broken spreads of rotten ruins. 42 And in [the story of the tribe of] Thamud, too, when they were told, "You shall enjoy your life for [but] a little while," 43 But they were insolent toward the command of their Lord, so the thunderbolt seized them while they were looking on. 44 Then they were unable to rise up, nor could they help themselves. 45 The people of Noah who lived before them were also evil doing people. 46