And propound thou unto them the similitude of the inhabitants of a town, when there came thereto the sent ones. 13 When We sent to them two Messengers, they belied them both, so We reinforced them with a third, and they said: "Verily! We have been sent to you as Messengers." 14 They (people of the town) said: "You are only human beings like ourselves, and the Most Beneficent (Allah) has revealed nothing, you are only telling lies." 15 They answered, “Our Lord knows that surely, without doubt, we have been sent towards you.” 16 who have been sent to you. Our only duty is to preach clearly to you". 17 They said: verily we augur ill of you; if ye desist not, we shall surely stone you, and there will befall you from us a torment afflictive. 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 At that, a man came running from the farthest end of the city, [and] exclaimed: "O my people! Follow these message-bearers! 20 Follow those who do not ask for any recompense of you, and are rightly guided. 21 And why should I not serve Him who originated me, and unto whom you shall be returned? 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 Surely in that case I should indeed be in evident error. 24 Surely I believe in your Lord, therefore hear me. 25 (Having been murdered by the disbelievers) he was told to enter paradise 26 How my Lord has forgiven me and made me one of those who are honoured!" 27 ۞ After him We did not send down against his people a host from heaven, nor do We send down such hosts: 28 There was just one blast, and they were extinguished. 29 And it was said, “Woe to those bondmen – whenever a Noble Messenger comes to them, they mock at him!” 30 Have they not seen how many generations We destroyed before them, which will not return to them? 31 and [that] all of them, all together, will [in the end] before Us be arraigned? 32