Narrate to them the example of the people of the city when the messengers came to it. 13 Lo! We sent unto them two [apostles,] and they gave the lie to both; and so We strengthened [the two] with a third; and thereupon they said: "Behold, we have been sent unto you [by God]!" 14 They said: ye are but human beings like ourselves; the Compassionate hath not sent down aught; ye are only lying. 15 (The messengers) said: "Our Lord knows that we have been sent to you. 16 who have been sent to you. Our only duty is to preach clearly to you". 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 Messengers replied: “Your evil omen is with you. (Are you saying this) because you were asked to take heed? The truth is that you are a people who have exceeded all bounds.” 19 At that, a man came running from the farthest end of the city, [and] exclaimed: "O my people! Follow these message-bearers! 20 Follow those who do not ask you for any reward and who are rightly guided. 21 "And why should I not worship Him (Allah Alone) Who has created me and to Whom you shall be returned. 22 Should I take other gods apart from Him, who would neither be able to intercede for me nor save me if Ar-Rahman brings me harm? 23 and so, behold, I would have indeed, most obviously, lost myself in error! 24 "Verily, [O my people,] in the Sustainer of you all have I come to believe: listen, then, to me!" 25 [And] he was told, "[Thou shalt] enter paradise!" - [whereupon] he exclaimed: "Would that my people knew 26 “The manner in which my Lord has pardoned me and made me of the honoured ones!” 27 ۞ And We sent not down upon his people, after him, any host out of heaven; neither would We send any down. 28 It was but one shout, and lo! they were extinct. 29 Ah, woe for those servants! Never comes unto them a Messenger, but they mock at him. 30 Have they not seen how many generations have We destroyed before them who will not return again? 31 They shall every one of them be arraigned before Us. 32