Narrate to them the example of the people of the city when the messengers came to it. 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: Ye are but mortals like unto us. The Beneficent hath naught revealed. Ye do but lie! 15 They said: "Our Lord doth know that we have been sent on a mission to you: 16 And our duty is only to convey the message to you clearly," 17 They answered: 'We predict evil of you. If you do not desist, we will stone you and a painful punishment from us will befall you' 18 They said: Your evil fortune is with you; what! if you are reminded! Nay, you are an extravagant people. 19 In the meantime a man came running from the far end of the town, saying: “My people, follow the Messengers; 20 Follow those who do not ask of you [any] payment, and they 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, 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 Verily then I should be in error manifest. 24 Messengers, listen to me. I believe in your Lord." 25 (But they stoned him to death.) It was said to him: "Enter Paradise;" and he said: "If only my people knew 26 for what reason Allah has forgiven me and placed me among the honoured ones.” 27 ۞ And We did not send down upon his people after him any hosts from heaven, nor do We ever send down. 28 It was but one shout, and lo! they were extinct. 29 And it was said, “Woe to those bondmen – whenever a Noble Messenger comes to them, they mock at him!” 30 Do they not see how many of the generations We have destroyed before them? Verily, they will not return to them. 31 All of them shall (one day) be gathered before Us. 32