Set forth to them, by way of a parable, the (story of) the Companions of the City. Behold!, there came messengers to it. 13 When We (first) sent to them two messengers, they rejected them: But We strengthened them with a third: they said, "Truly, we have been sent on a mission to you." 14 But they said: 'You are only humans like ourselves. The Merciful has not sent down anything, your speech is but lies' 15 They answered: Our Lord knoweth that we are indeed sent unto you, 16 And we are not responsible except for clear notification." 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 augury be with you! Is it because ye are reminded (of the truth)? Nay, but ye are froward folk! 19 And there came running from the farthest part of the town, a man, saying: "O my people! Obey the Messengers; 20 Follow such as ask no wage of you, that are right-guided. 21 "And why should I not worship Him (Allah Alone) Who has created me and to Whom you shall be returned. 22 What, shall I take, apart from Him, gods whose intercession, if the All-merciful desires affliction for me, shall not avail me anything, and who will never deliver me? 23 Surely in that case I should indeed be in evident error. 24 “Indeed I have believed in your Lord, so heed me.” 25 It was said (to him): 'Enter Paradise' and he said: 'Would that my people knew 26 "For that my Lord has granted me Forgiveness and has enrolled me among those held in honour!" 27 ۞ And We sent not down against his People, after him, any hosts from heaven, nor was it needful for Us so to do. 28 It was only a single blast which made them extinct. 29 Alas for My servants! Never does a Messenger come to them but they mock 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 and [that] all of them, all together, will [in the end] before Us be arraigned? 32