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 unto them two men, but they cried them lies, so We sent a third as reinforcement. They said, 'We are assuredly Envoys unto you. 14 They said, "You are not but human beings like us, and the Most Merciful has not revealed a thing. You are only telling lies." 15 They said: 'Our Lord knows that we are Messengers to you. 16 And nothing devolves on us but a clear deliverance (of the message). 17 They said: Surely we augur evil from you; if you do not desist, we will certainly stone you, and there shall certainly afflict you a painful chastisement from us. 18 [The apostles] replied: "Your destiny, good or evil, is [bound up] with yourselves! [Does it seem evil to you] if you are told to take [the truth] to heart? Nay, but you are people who have wasted their own selves!" 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 him who does not ask you for reward, and they are the followers of the right course; 21 And why should I not worship He who created me and to whom you will be returned? 22 What! shall I take besides Him gods whose intercession, If the Beneficent Allah should desire to afflict me with a harm, shall not avail me aught, nor shall they be able to deliver me? 23 Surely in that case I should indeed be in evident error. 24 “Indeed I have believed in your Lord, so heed me.” 25 It was said to him, “Enter Paradise”; he said, “If only my people knew!” 26 "That my Lord (Allah) has forgiven me, and made me of the honoured ones!" 27 ۞ And We did not send down to his nation after him any army from heaven, neither would We send any down. 28 It was naught but a single cry, and lo! they were still. 29 Woe, for those (unbelieving) worshipers! They mocked every Messenger that came to them. 30 Are they not aware of how many a generation We have destroyed before their time, [and] that those [that have perished] will never return to them, 31 They shall every one of them be arraigned before Us. 32