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 to them two but they denied them, so We strengthened them with a third, and they said, "Indeed, we are messengers to you." 14 The people said, "You are mere mortals like us and the Beneficent God has sent nothing. You are only liars." 15 They said: our Lord knoweth that we are surely unto you the sent ones. 16 And our duty is but plain conveyance (of the message). 17 They said, 'We augur ill of you. If you give not over, we will stone you and there shall visit you from us a painful chastisement.' 18 They said: your evil augury be with you. Call ye it an ill-luck because ye are admonished! Aye! ye are a people extravagant. 19 At that, a man came running from the farthest end of the city, [and] exclaimed: "O my people! Follow these message-bearers! 20 “Obey those who do not ask any fee from you, and they are on guidance.” 21 "Why should I not worship Him who has brought me into being, and to whom you shall all be recalled? 22 What, shall I take, apart from Him, gods whose intercession, if the All-merciful desires affliction for me, shall not avail me anything, and who will never deliver me? 23 Verily then I should be in error manifest. 24 Messengers, listen to me. I believe in your Lord." 25 It was said (to him): 'Enter Paradise' and he said: 'Would that my people knew 26 That my Lord hath forgiven me, and hath made me of the honoured ones. 27 ۞ And after that, no host out of heaven did We send down against his people, nor did We need to send down any: 28 It was only a single blast which made them extinct. 29 And it was said, “Woe to those bondmen – whenever a Noble Messenger comes to them, they mock at him!” 30 Do they not consider how many of the generations have We destroyed before them, because they do not turn to them? 31 And surely all, every one of them, shall be brought before Us. 32