Set forth to them, by way of a parable, the (story of) the Companions of the City. Behold!, there came messengers to it. 13 When We sent unto them twain, and they denied them both, so We reinforced them with a third, and they said: Lo! we have been sent unto you. 14 They said: ye are but human beings like ourselves; the Compassionate hath not sent down aught; ye are only lying. 15 They said: Our Lord knows that we are most surely apostles to you. 16 who have been sent to you. Our only duty is to preach clearly to you". 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 They (Messengers) said: "Your evil omens be with you! (Do you call it "evil omen") because you are admonished? Nay, but you are a people Musrifun (transgressing all bounds by committing all kinds of great sins, and by disobeying Allah). 19 And there came running from the farthest part of the town, a man, saying: "O my people! Obey the Messengers; 20 Follow those who do not ask of you [any] payment, and they are [rightly] guided. 21 Why should I not worship Him who brought me into being, to whom you will be brought back in the end? 22 Should I worship other gods besides Him? If the Beneficent God was to afflict me with hardship, the intercession of the idols can be of no benefit to me nor could it rescue me from hardship. 23 Surely in that case I should be in manifest error. 24 I believe in your Lord; so listen to me.” 25 It was said: Enter the garden. He said: O would that my people had known 26 "That my Lord (Allah) has forgiven me, and made me of the honoured ones!" 27 ۞ And We sent not down upon his people, after him, any host out of heaven; neither would We send any down. 28 It was only one Shout and they were silent, still. 29 And it was said, “Woe to those bondmen – whenever a Noble Messenger comes to them, they mock at him!” 30 Do they not see how many of the generations We have destroyed before them? Verily, they will not return to them. 31 But all, without exception, will be brought before Us. 32