Set forth to them, by way of a parable, the (story of) the Companions of the City. Behold!, there came messengers to it. 13 We sent to them two, but they belied them so We reinforced them with a third. They said: 'We have surely been sent as Messengers to 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 knoweth that we are surely unto you the sent ones. 16 And nothing devolves on us but a clear deliverance (of the message). 17 They (people) said: "For us, we see an evil omen from you, if you cease not, we will surely stone you, and a painful torment will touch you from us." 18 [The apostles] replied: "Your destiny, good or evil, is [bound up] with yourselves! [Does it seem evil to you] if you are told to take [the truth] to heart? Nay, but you are people who have wasted their own selves!" 19 At that, a man came running from the farthest end of the city, [and] exclaimed: "O my people! Follow these message-bearers! 20 Follow those who do not ask for any recompense of you, and 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 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 In that case I shall most surely be in clear error: 24 Verily I believe now in your Lord; so hearken unto me. 25 It was said: enter thou the Garden. He said: would that my people knew. 26 that my Lord has forgiven me and that He has placed me among the honoured.' 27 ۞ We did not send down any army against his people from heaven, nor did We have to send one. 28 It was only a single blast which made them extinct. 29 How regretful for the servants. There did not come to them any messenger except that they used to ridicule him. 30 Have they not seen how many generations We destroyed before them, which indeed returned not unto them; 31 All of them shall (one day) be gathered before Us. 32