And present to them an example: 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 knows we are Envoys unto you; 16 who have been sent to you. Our only duty is to preach clearly to you". 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 fortune is with you; what! if you are reminded! Nay, you are an extravagant people. 19 Then, from the furthest part of the city, a man came running. He said, "My people, follow the messengers. 20 Follow those who do not ask you for any reward and who are rightly guided. 21 Why should I not worship Him who brought me into being, to whom you will be brought back in the end? 22 "Shall I take besides Him aliha (gods), if the Most Beneficent (Allah) intends me any harm, their intercession will be of no use for me whatsoever, nor can they save me? 23 In that case I should indeed be 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 Of that on account of which my Lord has forgiven me and made me of the honored ones! 27 ۞ And We did not send down upon his people after him any soldiers from the heaven, nor would We have done so. 28 It was only one Shout and they were silent, still. 29 Alas for men! No apostle ever came to them but they made fun of him. 30 Have they not seen how many generations, living before them, had We destroyed and they cannot ever come back to them? 31 And without exception, all of them will be brought forth before Us. 32