And propound thou unto them the similitude of the inhabitants of a town, when there came thereto the sent ones. 13 We sent to them two Messengers and they rejected both of them as liars. Then We strengthened them with a third (Messenger). They said: “We have been sent to you as Messengers.” 14 They said, 'You are naught but mortals like us; the All-merciful has not sent down anything. You are speaking only lies.' 15 They said, 'Our Lord knows we are Envoys unto you; 16 And it is only for us to deliver a Clear Message' 17 but they answered, "We see an evil omen in you. If you do not stop, we shall certainly stone you, and you will suffer a painful punishment at our hands." 18 (The messengers) said: "The augury is within your own selves. Do you (consider it a bad omen) that you should be warned? You are a people guilty of excess." 19 And there came from the farthest part of the town a man running. He said; O my people! follow the sent ones. 20 Follow those who ask no reward of you, and themselves are rightly guided! 21 "Why should I not worship Him who has brought me into being, and to whom you shall all be recalled? 22 Shall I take (other) gods in place of Him when, if the Beneficent should wish me any harm, their intercession will avail me naught, nor can they save? 23 In that case I should indeed be in manifest error. 24 "For me, I have faith in the Lord of you (all): listen, then, to me!" 25 It was said: enter thou the Garden. He said: would that my people knew. 26 (wherein he said), "Would that people knew how my Lord has granted me forgiveness and honor". 27 ۞ We sent not down against his people after him a host from heaven, nor do We ever send. 28 It was but one shout, and lo! they were extinct. 29 Alas for men! No apostle ever came to them but they made fun of him. 30 Have they not seen how many generations, living before them, had We destroyed and they cannot ever come back to them? 31 And all of them shall surely be brought before Us. 32