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 When We sent to them two Messengers, they belied them both, so We reinforced them with a third, and they said: "Verily! We have been sent to you as Messengers." 14 They said: ye are but human beings like ourselves; the Compassionate hath not sent down aught; ye are only lying. 15 They said: 'Our Lord knows that we are Messengers to you. 16 And our duty is but plain conveyance (of the message). 17 (The people of the city) said: We augur ill of you. If ye desist not, we shall surely stone you, and grievous torture will befall you at our hands. 18 They said, "Your evil augury be with you! Is it because you are admonished about the truth? Surely, you are a people transgressing all bounds!" 19 And there came from the farthest part of the town a man running. He said; O my people! follow the sent ones. 20 follow those who ask no wage of you and are rightly guided. 21 "It would not be reasonable in me if I did not serve Him Who created me, and to Whom ye shall (all) 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 Then truly I should be in error manifest. 24 “Indeed I have believed in your Lord, so heed me.” 25 It was said: enter thou the Garden. He said: would that my people knew. 26 (wherein he said), "Would that people knew how my Lord has granted me forgiveness and honor". 27 ۞ And We did not send down upon his people after him any soldiers from the heaven, nor would We have done so. 28 There was just one blast, and they were extinguished. 29 Ah, the anguish for the bondmen! Never came there unto them a messenger but they did mock him! 30 Have they not seen how many generations have We destroyed before them who will not return again? 31 all shall be arraigned before Us. 32