AND SET FORTH unto them a parable - [the story of how] the people of a township [behaved] when [Our] message-bearers came unto them. 13 When We sent two of them they called them liars; so We sent a third to strengthen them. "We have been sent to you," they said. 14 The (people) said: "Ye are only men like ourselves; and (Allah) Most Gracious sends no sort of revelation: ye do nothing but lie." 15 They said, 'Our Lord knows we are Envoys unto you; 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 augury is with you; if you are reminded? But you are a prodigal people.' 19 Then there came running, from the farthest part of the City, a man, saying, "O my people! Obey the messengers: 20 "Obey those who ask no wages of you (for themselves), and who are rightly guided. 21 Why should I not worship Him who has originated me and to whom you shall all be returned? 22 What, shall I take, other than Him, gods whose intercession, if the Merciful desires to afflict me, cannot help me at all, and they will never save me? 23 In that case I should indeed be in manifest error. 24 Lo! I have believed in your Lord, so hear me! 25 It was said (to him): 'Enter Paradise' and he said: 'Would that my people knew 26 that my Lord has forgiven me, and caused me to be amongst the receivers of generosity' 27 ۞ We sent not down against his people after him a host from heaven, nor do We ever send. 28 It was but one shout, and lo! they were extinct. 29 Alas for mankind! There never came a Messenger to them but they used to 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 All of them shall (one day) be gathered before Us. 32