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 them two messengers, they rejected them both, so We strengthened them with a third. They said, "Truly, we have been sent to you [by God] as messengers." 14 "You are only men like us," they replied; "Ar-Rahman has not sent down any thing. You are speaking only lies." 15 They said, "Our Lord knows that we have been sent to you. 16 And our duty is only to convey the message to you clearly," 17 They rejoined: "We feel you augur ill. If you do not desist, we shall stone you to death, and inflict a grievous punishment on you." 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 Then there came running, from the farthest part of the City, a man, saying, "O my people! Obey the messengers: 20 "Obey those who ask no wages of you (for themselves), and who are rightly guided. 21 "[As for me,] why should I not worship Him who has brought me into being, and to whom you all will be brought back? 22 "Shall I take besides Him aliha (gods), if the Most Beneficent (Allah) intends me any harm, their intercession will be of no use for me whatsoever, nor can they save me? 23 (Had I worshipped things besides God, I would have been in manifest error). 24 Messengers, listen to me. I believe in your Lord." 25 It was said (to him when the disbelievers killed him): "Enter Paradise." 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 ۞ And We sent not down upon his people, after him, any host out of heaven; neither would We send any down. 28 It was but one shout, and lo! they were extinct. 29 Ah, the anguish for the bondmen! Never came there unto them a messenger but they did mock him! 30 Do they not see how many of the generations We have destroyed before them? Verily, they will not return to them. 31 And indeed, all of them will yet be brought present before Us. 32