Recount to them the example of the people to whose town Our messengers came. 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 The people said, "You are mere mortals like us and the Beneficent God has sent nothing. You are only liars." 15 They said: Our Lord knows that we are most surely apostles 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 [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 And there came from the farthest end of the city a man, running. He said, "O my people, follow the messengers. 20 "Obey those who ask no wages of you (for themselves), and who are rightly guided. 21 For what cause should I not serve Him Who hath created me, and unto Whom ye will be brought back? 22 Should I take other than Him [false] deities [while], if the Most Merciful intends for me some adversity, their intercession will not avail me at all, nor can they save me? 23 Then truly I should be in error manifest. 24 Behold, I believe in your Lord; therefore hear me!' 25 It was said: Enter the garden. He said: O would that my people had known 26 that my Lord has forgiven me and that He has placed me among the honoured.' 27 ۞ And after him, We did not send down any army from heaven against his people, nor did We intend to send down an army. 28 It was but one shout, and lo! they were extinct. 29 OH, THE REGRETS that [most] human beings will have to bear! Never has an apostle come to them without their deriding him! 30 Do they not see how many generations We have destroyed before them? Never shall they return to them. 31 They shall every one of them be arraigned before Us. 32