Give to them a parable; to the people of the village there came Messengers, 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 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 who have been sent to you. Our only duty is to preach clearly to you". 17 They said: Surely we augur evil from you; if you do not desist, we will certainly stone you, and there shall certainly afflict you a painful chastisement from us. 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 ask of you no fee, and who are rightly guided. 21 And what reason have I that I should not serve Him Who brought me into existence? And to Him you shall be brought back; 22 What! Shall I take any deities apart from Him whose intercession will not avail me the least were the Merciful One to bring any adversity upon me, nor will they be able to rescue me? 23 “Undoubtedly, I am then in open error.” 24 "For me, I have faith in the Lord of you (all): listen, then, to me!" 25 (Having been murdered by the disbelievers) he was told to enter paradise 26 Of how my Lord has forgiven me and placed me among the honored." 27 ۞ And We did not send down upon his people after him any hosts from heaven, nor do We ever send down. 28 It was but one Shout, and lo! they were extinct. 29 Alas for My servants! Never does a Messenger come to them but they mock him. 30 Have they not seen how many generations We destroyed before them, which indeed returned not unto them; 31 They will all be brought together before Us. 32