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 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: ye are but human beings like ourselves; the Compassionate hath not sent down aught; ye are only lying. 15 They said, "Our Lord knows that we are messengers to you, 16 And nothing devolves on us but a clear deliverance (of the message). 17 The people said, "We have ill omens about you. If you will not desist, we shall stone you and make you suffer a painful torment". 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 running from the farthest part of the town, a man, saying: "O my people! Obey the Messengers; 20 Follow him who does not ask you for reward, and they are the followers of the right course; 21 "And why should I not worship Him (Allah Alone) Who has created me and to Whom you shall be returned. 22 Shall I take (other) gods in place of Him when, if the Beneficent should wish me any harm, their intercession will avail me naught, nor can they save? 23 Indeed, I would then be in manifest error. 24 Indeed, I have believed in your Lord, so listen to me." 25 It was said, 'Enter Paradise!' He said, 'Ah, would that my people had knowledge 26 "That my Lord (Allah) has forgiven me, and made me of the honoured ones!" 27 ۞ And We did not send down upon his people after him any hosts from heaven, nor do We ever send down. 28 It was not but one shout, and immediately they were extinguished. 29 Ah the misery of the bondmen! there cometh not unto them an apostle, but him they have been mocking. 30 Have they not seen how many generations We destroyed before them, which indeed returned not unto them; 31 and [that] all of them, all together, will [in the end] before Us be arraigned? 32