And certainly did Our messengers come to Abraham with good tidings; they said, "Peace." He said, "Peace," and did not delay in bringing [them] a roasted calf. 69 But when he saw that their hands were not extended towards it, he deemed them strange and conceived fear of them. They said: Fear not, surely we are sent to Lut's people. 70 And his wife, standing by laughed when We gave her good tidings (of the birth) of Isaac, and, after Isaac, of Jacob. 71 She said: O wonder! shall I bear a son when I am an extremely old woman and this my husband an extremely old man? Most surely this is a wonderful thing. 72 They said, "Are you amazed at the decree of Allah? May the mercy of Allah and His blessings be upon you, people of the house. Indeed, He is Praiseworthy and Honorable." 73 When the fear had left Abraham, and the glad tidings had been conveyed to him, he began to plead with Us for Lot's people, 74 Verily Ibrahim was forbearing, long-suffering, penitent. 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 apostles came to Lut, he was grieved for them, and he lacked strength to protect them, and said: This is a hard day. 77 And his people came to him, (as if) rushed on towards him, and already they did evil deeds. He said: O my people! these are my daughters-- they are purer for you, so guard against (the punishment of) Allah and do not disgrace me with regard to my guests; is there not among you one right-minded man? 78 They said: "Well dost thou know we have no need of thy daughters: indeed thou knowest quite well what we want!" 79 He said: Would that I had strength against you or could betake me to a powerful support! 80 (The messengers) said: O Lot! Lo! we are messengers of thy Lord; they shall not reach thee. So travel with thy people in a part of the night, and let not one of you turn round - (all) save thy wife. Lo! that which smiteth them will smite her (also). Lo! their tryst is (for) the morning. Is not the morning nigh? 81 So when the decreed moment arrived, We turned the habitations upside down, and rained upon them stones of hardened lava in quick succession, 82 marked with your Lord, and never far from the evildoers. 83