Our messengers came to Abraham with good news and greeted him with, "Peace." He too said, "Peace be on you," and hastened to bring a roasted calf. 69 but when he saw that their hands did not reach out for it, he could not know who they were and became afraid of them. They said, "Do not be afraid; we are God's angelic Messengers sent to the people of Lot." 70 And his wife was standing (there), and she laughed: But we gave her glad tidings of Isaac, and after him, 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 marvellest thou at the decree of Allah? Mercy of Allah and His blessings be upon you, people of the house, verily He is Praiseworthy, Glorious. 73 And when the wonderment departed from Abraham and the glad tidings reached him, he pleaded with Us for the nation of Lot; 74 Abraham was clement, compassionate, 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 And when Our messengers came unto Lot, he was distressed and knew not how to protect them. He said: This is a distressful day. 77 And his people came rushing towards him, and since aforetime they used to commit crimes (sodomy, etc.), he said: "O my people! Here are my daughters (i.e. the daughters of my nation), they are purer for you (if you marry them lawfully). So fear Allah and degrade me not as regards my guests! Is there not among you a single right-minded man?" 78 They said: Well thou knowest that we have no right to thy daughters, and well thou knowest what we want. 79 He said, "If only I had against you some power or could take refuge in a strong support." 80 Thereupon the angels said: 'O Lot! We indeed are messengers of your Lord. And your people will in no way be able to hurt you. So depart with your family in a part of the night and let no one of you turn around excepting your wife (who shall not go); for what will befall them shall also befall her. In the morning their promised hour will come. Is not the morning near?' 81 So when Our command came, We made the highest part [of the city] its lowest and rained upon them stones of layered hard clay, [which were] 82 Impressed with (the signs) of your Lord. And such (punishment) is not far for the (other) transgressers. 83