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 What time We sent unto them two, then they belied the twain, wherefore We strengthened them with a third, and they said: verily we are unto you the sent ones. 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 doth know that we have been sent on a mission to you: 16 and it is only for us to deliver the Manifest Message.' 17 They said: verily we augur ill of you; if ye desist not, we shall surely stone you, and there will befall you from us a torment afflictive. 18 (The messengers) said: "The augury is within your own selves. Do you (consider it a bad omen) that you should be warned? You are a people guilty of excess." 19 And there came running from the farthest part of the town, a man, saying: "O my people! Obey the Messengers; 20 follow those who do not ask any recompense from you and are rightly-guided. 21 "[As for me,] why should I not worship Him who has brought me into being, and to whom you all will be brought back? 22 What, shall I take, other than Him, gods whose intercession, if the Merciful desires to afflict me, cannot help me at all, and they will never save me? 23 Then truly I should be in error manifest. 24 Lo! I have believed in your Lord, so hear me! 25 (But they stoned him to death.) It was said to him: "Enter Paradise;" and he said: "If only my people knew 26 how my Sustainer has forgiven me [the sins of my past,] and has placed me among the honoured ones!" 27 ۞ And We sent not against his people after him a host from heaven, nor do We send (such a thing). 28 It was just one scream, and with it they were extinguished. 29 Woe to human beings! Whenever a Messenger came to them, they mocked him. 30 Do they not see how many generations We have destroyed before them? Never shall they return to them. 31 And surely all, every one of them, shall be brought before Us. 32