Recite to them, as a case in point, the story of the people of the town when the Messengers came to them. 13 When We sent two of them they called them liars; so We sent a third to strengthen them. "We have been sent to you," they said. 14 They said: Ye are but mortals like unto us. The Beneficent hath naught revealed. Ye do but lie! 15 They said: our Lord knoweth that we are surely unto you the sent ones. 16 And our duty is only to convey the message to you clearly," 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 They said, “Your evil omens are with you! What! You get annoyed for being advised? In fact you are a people who transgress the limits!” 19 And from the outermost part of the city came a man running; he said, “O my people! Obey those who have been sent.” 20 “Obey those who do not ask any fee from you, and they are on guidance.” 21 And why should I not serve Him who originated me, and unto whom you shall be returned? 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 (Had I worshipped things besides God, I would have been in manifest error). 24 Verily! I have believed in your Lord, so listen to me!" 25 We said to him, "Enter paradise," and he exclaimed: "Would that my people knew 26 How my Lord has forgiven me and made me one of those who are honoured!" 27 ۞ And after that, no host out of heaven did We send down against his people, nor did We need to send down any: 28 it was but one great blast and they fell down lifeless. 29 Ah! Alas for (My) Servants! There comes not a messenger to them but they mock him! 30 Have they not seen how many generations We destroyed before them, which will not return to them? 31 All of them shall (one day) be gathered before Us. 32