And propound thou unto them the similitude of the inhabitants of a town, when there came thereto the sent ones. 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 human beings like ourselves; the Compassionate hath not sent down aught; ye are only lying. 15 They said: our Lord knoweth that we are surely unto you the sent ones. 16 who have been sent to you. Our only duty is to preach clearly to you". 17 The people of the town said: “We believe you are an evil omen for us. If you do not desist, we will stone you or you will receive a grievous chastisement from us.” 18 They said: "Your evil omens are with yourselves: (deem ye this an evil omen). If ye are admonished? Nay, but ye are a people transgressing all bounds!" 19 Then a man came running from the other side of the city. "O my people," he said, "follow the messengers. 20 Follow those who ask of you no fee, and who 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 Shall I take beside Him gods when, if the Compassionate should intend me any harm, their intercession will avail me not at all, nor would they save me? 23 Indeed, I would then be in manifest error. 24 Indeed, I have believed in your Lord, so listen to me." 25 It was said to him, “Enter Paradise”; he said, “If only my people knew!” 26 how my Lord has forgiven me and placed me among the honoured 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 just one scream, and with it they were extinguished. 29 Ah, the anguish for the bondmen! Never came there unto them a messenger but they did mock him! 30 Do they not see how many generations We have destroyed before them? Never shall they return to them. 31 And surely all, every one of them, shall be brought before Us. 32