Our messengers came to Abraham with good news and greeted him with, "Peace." He too said, "Peace be on you," and hastened to bring a roasted calf. 69 When they did not stretch their hands towards it he became suspicious and afraid of them. They said: "Do not be afraid. We have been sent to the people of Lot." 70 And his wife was standing (there), and she laughed: But we gave her glad tidings of Isaac, and after him, of Jacob. 71 She said, 'Woe is me! Shall I bear, being an old woman, and this my husband is an old man? This assuredly is a strange thing.' 72 They said: Wonderest thou at the commandment of Allah? The mercy of Allah and His blessings be upon you, O people of the house! Lo! He is Owner of Praise, Owner of Glory! 73 When the fear had left Abraham, and the glad tidings had been conveyed to him, he began to plead with Us for Lot's people, 74 for, behold, Abraham was most clement, most tender-hearted, intent upon turning to God again and again. 75 Thereupon (Our angels) said to him: 'O Abraham! Desist from this, for indeed your Lord's command has come; and a chastisement which cannot be averted is about to befall them.' words literally suggest; the purpose is merely to express a sense of wonder. 76 And when Our messengers came to Lot, he was troubled and distressed for them, and said: 'This is a harsh day' 77 And his people came to him, (as if) rushed on towards him, and already they did evil deeds. He said: O my people! these are my daughters-- they are purer for you, so guard against (the punishment of) Allah and do not disgrace me with regard to my guests; is there not among you one right-minded man? 78 They said, "You certainly know that we have no right to your daughters and you know what we want". 79 He said, "Would that I had the power (to overcome you) or could seek strong protection." 80 They said, 'Lot, we are messengers of thy Lord. They shall not reach thee; so set forth, thou with thy family, in a watch of the night, and let not any one of you turn round, excepting thy wife; surely she shall be smitten by that which smites them. Their promised time is the morning; is the morning not nigh?' 81 So when Our command came, We turned it uppermost nethermost, and rained on it stones of baked clay, one on another, 82 Marked from before thy Lord. Nor are they from the wrong-doers far away. 83