And put forward to them a similitude; the (story of the) dwellers of the town, [It is said that the town was Antioch (Antakiya)], when there came Messengers to them. 13 We sent them two Messengers whom they rejected. We supported them by sending a third one who told the people, "We are the Messengers (of God) who have been sent to you". 14 "You are only men like us," they replied; "Ar-Rahman has not sent down any thing. You are speaking only lies." 15 They answered: Our Lord knoweth that we are indeed sent unto you, 16 and it is only for us to deliver the Manifest Message.' 17 (The people of the city) said: We augur ill of you. If ye desist not, we shall surely stone you, and grievous torture will befall you at our hands. 18 They said: Your evil augury be with you! Is it because ye are reminded (of the truth)? Nay, but ye are froward folk! 19 And from the remote part of the city there came a man running, he said: O my people! follow the apostles; 20 Follow those who do not ask for any recompense of 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 Should I worship other gods besides Him? If the Beneficent God was to afflict me with hardship, the intercession of the idols can be of no benefit to me nor could it rescue me from hardship. 23 "Then verily, I should be in plain error. 24 "Verily, [O my people,] in the Sustainer of you all have I come to believe: listen, then, to me!" 25 (But they stoned him to death.) It was said to him: "Enter Paradise;" and he said: "If only my people knew 26 (wherein he said), "Would that people knew how my Lord has granted me forgiveness and honor". 27 ۞ And We sent not against his people after him a host from heaven, nor do We send (such a thing). 28 There was but a single Blast and suddenly they became silent and still. 29 Ah the misery of the bondmen! there cometh not unto them an apostle, but him they have been mocking. 30 Behold they not how many We have destroyed before them of the generations! verily unto them they shall not return. 31 They shall every one of them be arraigned before Us. 32