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 When We sent unto them twain, and they denied them both, so We reinforced them with a third, and they said: Lo! we have been sent unto you. 14 They replied, "You are nothing but mortal men like us and the Merciful God has not revealed anything. You are surely lying." 15 They said: "Our Lord doth know that we have been sent on a mission to you: 16 “And our duty is nothing but to plainly convey (the 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 They said: Your evil fortune is with you; what! if you are reminded! Nay, you are an extravagant people. 19 And there came from the farthest end of the city a man, running. He said, "O my people, follow the messengers. 20 Follow those who do not ask for any recompense of you, and are rightly guided. 21 For what cause should I not serve Him Who hath created me, and unto Whom ye will be brought back? 22 Should I take to worshipping [other] deities beside Him? [But then,] if the Most Gracious should will that harm befall me, their intercession could not in the least avail me, nor could they save me: 23 and so, behold, I would have indeed, most obviously, lost myself in error! 24 Surely I believe in your Lord, therefore hear me. 25 It was said, 'Enter Paradise!' He said, 'Ah, would that my people had knowledge 26 (wherein he said), "Would that people knew how my Lord has granted me forgiveness and honor". 27 ۞ And We did not send down upon his people after him any hosts from heaven, nor do We ever send down. 28 There was just one blast, and they were extinguished. 29 OH, THE REGRETS that [most] human beings will have to bear! Never has an apostle come to them without their deriding him! 30 Are they not aware of how many a generation We have destroyed before their time, [and] that those [that have perished] will never return to them, 31 All of them shall (one day) be gathered before Us. 32