And when Our Messengers brought Abraham the glad tidings they said: 'We are destroying the people of this village, because its people are harmdoers' 31 He said, 'Lot is in it.' They said, 'We know very well who is in it; assuredly We shall deliver him and his family, except his wife; she has become of those that tarry.' 32 And when Our messengers came unto Lut, he was distressed on their account and felt straitened on their account. And they said: fear not, nor grieve: verily we are to deliver thee and thy household, save thy wife: she is to be of the lingerers. 33 Surely We will cause to come down upon the people of this town a punishment from heaven, because they transgressed. 34 And We have certainly left of it a sign as clear evidence for a people who use reason. 35 AND UNTO [the people of] Madyan [We sent] their brother Shu'ayb who thereupon said: "O my people! Worship God [alone,] and look forward to the Last Day, and do not act wickedly on earth by spreading corruption!" 36 But they denounced him as a liar. So a mighty earthquake overtook them, and by the morning they lay overturned in their houses. 37 And [We destroyed] 'Aad and Thamud, and it has become clear to you from their [ruined] dwellings. And Satan had made pleasing to them their deeds and averted them from the path, and they were endowed with perception. 38 And [We destroyed] Qarun and Pharaoh and Haman. And Moses had already come to them with clear evidences, and they were arrogant in the land, but they were not outrunners [of Our punishment]. 39 So We seized each one for his sins; some We struck with a violent storm; some of them were overcome by a sudden blast, some were swallowed up by the earth and some We drowned. God did not wrong them: they wronged themselves. 40 The likeness of those who have taken guardians, other than Allah, is as the likeness of the spider that takes to itself a house; surely the spider's house is the weakest house if they but knew. 41 Allah knows whatever they call upon other than Him; He is the Almighty, the Wise. 42 And these similitudes We put forward for mankind, but none will understand them except those who have knowledge (of Allah and His Signs, etc.). 43 God has created the heavens and the earth for a purpose; surely in this there is a sign for true believers. 44