Give to them a parable; to the people of the village there came Messengers, 13 Lo! We sent unto them two [apostles,] and they gave the lie to both; and so We strengthened [the two] with a third; and thereupon they said: "Behold, we have been sent unto you [by God]!" 14 The people said, "You are mere mortals like us and the Beneficent God has sent nothing. You are only liars." 15 They said, "Our Lord knows that We are Messengers 16 but we are not bound to do more than clearly deliver the message [entrusted to us]." 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 The Messengers said, "This ill omen lies within yourselves. Will you then take heed? In fact, you are a transgressing people." 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 "Why should I not worship Him who has brought me into being, and to whom you shall all be recalled? 22 Should I take other gods apart from Him, who would neither be able to intercede for me nor save me if Ar-Rahman brings me harm? 23 In that case I would surely be in clear error. 24 I believe in your Lord, so listen to me." 25 It was said, 'Enter Paradise!' He said, 'Ah, would that my people had knowledge 26 how my Sustainer has forgiven me [the sins of my past,] and has placed me among the honoured ones!" 27 ۞ After him, We did not send down any hosts from the heaven; We stood in no need to send down any host. 28 It was naught but a single cry, and lo! they were still. 29 Alas for men! No apostle ever came to them but they made fun of him. 30 Have they not seen how many generations We destroyed before them, which will not return to them? 31 and [that] all of them, all together, will [in the end] before Us be arraigned? 32