Tell them the story of the people of the town to whom Messengers came. 13 when We sent unto them two men, but they cried them lies, so We sent a third as reinforcement. They said, 'We are assuredly Envoys unto you. 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 nothing but to plainly convey (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 augury is with you; if you are reminded? But you are a prodigal people.' 19 In the meantime a man came running from the far end of the town, saying: “My people, follow the Messengers; 20 Follow such as ask no wage of you, that are right-guided. 21 “And what is the matter with me that I should not worship Him Who created me, whereas it is towards Him that you are to return?” 22 What! shall I take besides Him gods whose intercession, If the Beneficent Allah should desire to afflict me with a harm, shall not avail me aught, nor shall they be able to deliver me? 23 In that case I would surely be in clear error. 24 "For me, I have faith in the Lord of you (all): listen, then, to me!" 25 It was said: enter thou the Garden. He said: would that my people knew. 26 Of that on account of which my Lord has forgiven me and made me of the honored ones! 27 ۞ After him We did not send down against his people a host from heaven, nor do We send down such hosts: 28 It was naught but a single cry, and lo! they were still. 29 And it was said, “Woe to those bondmen – whenever a Noble Messenger comes to them, they mock at him!” 30 Do they not see how many of the generations We have destroyed before them? Verily, they will not return to them. 31 All of them, gathered together, will certainly be brought before Us. 32