AND, INDEED, there came unto Abraham Our [heavenly] messengers, bearing a glad tiding. They bade him peace; [and] he answered, "[And upon you be] peace!" - and made haste to place before them a roasted calf. 69 But when he saw that their hands were not extended towards it, he deemed them strange and conceived fear of them. They said: Fear not, surely we are sent to Lut's people. 70 And his Wife was standing, and she smiled. Then We gave her good tidings of Isaac and after Isaac, Jacob. 71 She said: "Alas for me! shall I bear a child, seeing I am an old woman, and my husband here is an old man? That would indeed be a wonderful thing!" 72 They said: 'Do you wonder at Allah's decree? Allah's mercy and His blessings be upon you, O people of the house. Surely, He is Praiseworthy, Glorious.' 73 And when the awe departed from Abraham, and the glad news reached him, he pleaded with Us on behalf of the folk of Lot. 74 Lo! Abraham was mild, imploring, penitent. 75 "Desist from pleading, O Abraham," (they said). "Your Lord's command has verily been issued, and a punishment that cannot be averted is bound to fall on them." 76 When Our messengers came to Lot, he was uneasy on this account and felt powerless to protect them. He said, "This is a dreadful day." 77 And his people came rushing towards him, and they had been long in the habit of practising abominations. He said: "O my people! Here are my daughters: they are purer for you (if ye marry)! Now fear Allah, and cover me not with shame about my guests! Is there not among you a single right-minded man?" 78 They said: "Surely you know that we have neither any desire nor in need of your daughters, and indeed you know well what we want!" 79 He said, 'O would that I had power against you, or might take refuge in a strong pillar!' 80 The angels said, “O Lut! We are the sent ones of your Lord – they cannot get to you, therefore during the night take your entire household with you – and not one of you may turn around and see – except your wife*; she too will be afflicted with the same as they will be; indeed their promise is at morn; is not the morning imminent?” (* She was a disbeliever and sided with the culprits.) 81 When Our command came, We turned that town upside down and We rained upon it stones of clay, layer upon layer, 82 marked from your Lord. Nor is the punishment far off from the wrong-doers. 83