Strike for them a similitude -- the inhabitants of the city, when the Envoys came to it; 13 When We sent them two messengers, they rejected them both, so We strengthened them with a third. They said, "Truly, we have been sent to you [by God] as messengers." 14 They said, 'You are naught but mortals like us; the All-merciful has not sent down anything. You are speaking only lies.' 15 They said, "Our Lord knows that We are Messengers 16 And our duty is only to convey the message to you clearly," 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 fortune is with you; what! if you are reminded! Nay, you are an extravagant people. 19 Then a man came running from the other side of the city. "O my people," he said, "follow the messengers. 20 Follow those who do not ask you for any reward and who are rightly guided. 21 Why should I not worship Him who brought me into being, to whom you will be brought back in the end? 22 Shall I take beside Him gods when, if the Compassionate should intend me any harm, their intercession will avail me not at all, nor would they save me? 23 In that case I shall most surely be in clear error: 24 "Verily, [O my people,] in the Sustainer of you all have I come to believe: listen, then, to me!" 25 It was said (to him when the disbelievers killed him): "Enter Paradise." He said: "Would that my people knew! 26 That my Lord hath forgiven me, and hath made me of the honoured ones. 27 ۞ And We sent not against his people after him a host from heaven, nor do We send (such a thing). 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 What, have they not seen how many generations We have destroyed before them, and that it is not unto them that they return? 31 All of them, gathered together, will certainly be brought before Us. 32