Set forth to them, by way of a parable, the (story of) the Companions of the City. Behold!, there came messengers to it. 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 The people of the town said: “You are only human beings like ourselves, and the Merciful Lord has revealed nothing. You are simply lying.” 15 They said, "Our Lord knows that We are Messengers 16 but we are not bound to do more than clearly deliver the message [entrusted to us]." 17 The people said, "We have ill omens about you. If you will not desist, we shall stone you and make you suffer a painful torment". 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 Then there came running, from the farthest part of the City, a man, saying, "O my people! Obey the messengers: 20 Follow those who ask of you no fee, and who are rightly guided. 21 Why should I not serve the One Who created me and to Whom all of you shall be sent back? 22 What, shall I take, apart from Him, gods whose intercession, if the All-merciful desires affliction for me, shall not avail me anything, and who will never deliver me? 23 In that case I should indeed be in manifest error. 24 I believe in your Lord, so listen to me." 25 It was said, 'Enter Paradise!' He said, 'Ah, would that my people had knowledge 26 “The manner in which my Lord has pardoned me and made me of the honoured ones!” 27 ۞ And We did not send down upon his people after him any soldiers from the heaven, nor would We have done so. 28 it was but one great blast and they fell down lifeless. 29 Alas for mankind! There never came a Messenger to them but they used to mock at him. 30 Have they not seen how many nations before them did We destroy? Thereafter they never came back to them. 31 They shall every one of them be arraigned before Us. 32