Recount to them the example of the people to whose town Our messengers came. 13 When We had sent two towards them and they denied them both, so We fortified them with a third, and they all said, “Indeed we have been sent to you.” 14 They said: You are naught but mortals like ourselves, nor has the Beneficent Allah revealed anything; you only lie. 15 The Messengers said: "Our Lord knows that we have been sent as Messengers to you, 16 And we are not responsible except for clear notification." 17 The people of the town said: “We believe you are an evil omen for us. If you do not desist, we will stone you or you will receive a grievous chastisement 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 And from the outermost part of the city came a man running; he said, “O my people! Obey those who have been sent.” 20 Follow him who does not ask you for reward, and they are the followers of the right course; 21 Why should I not worship Him who brought me into being, to whom you will be brought back in the end? 22 What, shall I take, other than Him, gods whose intercession, if the Merciful desires to afflict me, cannot help me at all, and they will never save me? 23 Surely in that case I should be in manifest error. 24 "For me, I have faith in the Lord of you (all): listen, then, to me!" 25 It was said (unto him): Enter paradise. He said: Would that my people knew 26 With what (munificence) my Lord hath pardoned me and made me of the honoured ones! 27 ۞ We did not send an army against his people from the heaven after his death nor did We need to send one. 28 It was naught but a single cry, and lo! they were still. 29 How regretful for the servants. There did not come to them any messenger except that they used to ridicule him. 30 Are they not aware of how many a generation We have destroyed before their time, [and] that those [that have perished] will never return to them, 31 But all, without exception, will be brought before Us. 32