And present to them an example: the people of the city, when the messengers came to it - 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 They said: Ye are but mortals like unto us. The Beneficent hath naught revealed. Ye do but lie! 15 They said, "Our Lord knows that we have been sent to you. 16 And we are not responsible except for clear notification." 17 They rejoined: "We feel you augur ill. If you do not desist, we shall stone you to death, and inflict a grievous punishment on you." 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 Then came a man from the furthest part of the city, running; he said, 'My people, follow the Envoys! 20 Follow those who do not ask of you [any] payment, and they are [rightly] guided. 21 "Why should I not worship God who has created me? To him you will all return. 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 and so, behold, I would have indeed, most obviously, lost myself in error! 24 Surely I believe in your Lord, therefore hear me. 25 (Eventually they killed him and he was told): “Enter Paradise.” The man exclaimed: “Would that my people knew 26 With what (munificence) my Lord hath pardoned me and made me of the honoured ones! 27 ۞ And We did not send down to his nation after him any army from heaven, neither would We send any down. 28 It was not but one shout, and immediately they were extinguished. 29 Alas for the servants! there comes not to them an apostle but they mock at him. 30 Behold they not how many We have destroyed before them of the generations! verily unto them they shall not return. 31 and [that] all of them, all together, will [in the end] before Us be arraigned? 32