And put forward to them a similitude; the (story of the) dwellers of the town, [It is said that the town was Antioch (Antakiya)], when there came Messengers to them. 13 When We had sent two towards them and they denied them both, so We fortified them with a third, and they all said, “Indeed we have been sent to you.” 14 They said: You are naught but mortals like ourselves, nor has the Beneficent Allah revealed anything; you only lie. 15 The Messengers said: "Our Lord knows that we have been sent as Messengers to you, 16 and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.” 17 (The people of the city) said: We augur ill of you. If ye desist not, we shall surely stone you, and grievous torture will befall you at our hands. 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 And there came from the farthest end of the city a man, running. He said, "O my people, follow the messengers. 20 Follow such as ask no wage of you, that are right-guided. 21 And what aileth me that I should not worship Him who hath created me, and unto whom ye shall be returned. 22 “What! Shall I appoint Gods other than Allah? So that if the Most Gracious should wish me any harm, their intercession would be of no use to me, nor would they be able to save me?” 23 In that case I should indeed be in manifest error. 24 Indeed, I have believed in your Lord, so listen to me." 25 (But they stoned him to death.) It was said to him: "Enter Paradise;" and he said: "If only my people knew 26 how my Sustainer has forgiven me [the sins of my past,] and has placed me among the honoured ones!" 27 ۞ We did not send down any army against his people from heaven, nor did We have to send one. 28 It was only one Cry and lo, they were silent and 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 generations We have destroyed before them? Never shall they return to them. 31 All of them shall (one day) be gathered before Us. 32