AND SET FORTH unto them a parable - [the story of how] the people of a township [behaved] when [Our] message-bearers came unto them. 13 When We sent to them two, they rejected both of them, then We strengthened (them) with a third, so they said: Surely we are apostles to you. 14 They said: You are naught but mortals like ourselves, nor has the Beneficent Allah revealed anything; you only lie. 15 They said: 'Our Lord knows that we are Messengers to you. 16 And nothing devolves on us but a clear deliverance (of the message). 17 (The people of the city) said: We augur ill of you. If ye desist not, we shall surely stone you, and grievous torture will befall you at our hands. 18 They said, "Your omen is with yourselves. Is it because you were reminded? Rather, you are a transgressing people." 19 A man came running from the farthest part of the city saying, "My people, follow the Messengers. 20 Follow him who does not ask you for reward, and they are the followers of the right course; 21 And what aileth me that I should not worship Him who hath created me, and unto whom ye shall be returned. 22 Shall I take others besides Him as gods? If the Gracious God should intend me any harm, their intercession will be of no avail, nor can they deliver me. 23 (Had I worshipped things besides God, I would have been in manifest error). 24 Verily I believe now in your Lord; so hearken unto me. 25 It was said (to him when the disbelievers killed him): "Enter Paradise." He said: "Would that my people knew! 26 That my Lord hath forgiven me, and hath made me of the honoured ones. 27 ۞ And We sent not against his people after him a host from heaven, nor do We send (such a thing). 28 It was just one scream, and with it they were extinguished. 29 Alas for human beings! They ridicule every messenger that comes to them. 30 Do they not see how many generations We have destroyed before them? Never shall they return to them. 31 And indeed, all of them will yet be brought present before Us. 32