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 And Abraham's wife was standing by and on hearing this she laughed. And We gave her the good news of (the birth of) Isaac, and after Isaac, of Jacob. 71 She said: "Alas for me! shall I bear a child, seeing I am an old woman, and my husband here is an old man? That would indeed be a wonderful thing!" 72 They said: Wonderest thou at the commandment of Allah? The mercy of Allah and His blessings be upon you, O people of the house! Lo! He is Owner of Praise, Owner of Glory! 73 And when the awe departed from Abraham, and the glad news reached him, he pleaded with Us on behalf of the folk of Lot. 74 Verily Ibrahim was forbearing, long-suffering, penitent. 75 We said, "Abraham, cease your pleading: the command of your Lord has gone forth. There shall fall upon them a punishment which none can avert!" 76 When Our messengers came to Lot, he was uneasy on this account and felt powerless to protect them. He said, "This is a dreadful day." 77 His people, who were used to committing foul deeds, came running to him. He said, "My people, here are my daughters. They are purer for you, [if you marry] so have some fear of God and do not disgrace me before my guests. Is there not a single right-minded man among you?" 78 They said: "You know we have no need for your daughters, and know well what we want." 79 He said: 'Would that I were powerful over you, or might take refuge in a strong pillar' 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 And when Our command came to pass, We turned the town upside down, and rained on it stones of baked clay, one on another, 82 marked for them by the decree of your Lord. The punishment of the unjust was not far off. 83