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 Lo! We sent unto them two [apostles,] and they gave the lie to both; and so We strengthened [the two] with a third; and thereupon they said: "Behold, we have been sent unto you [by God]!" 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 are Messengers 16 but we are not bound to do more than clearly deliver the message [entrusted to us]." 17 They said: verily we augur ill of you; if ye desist not, we shall surely stone you, and there will befall you from us a torment afflictive. 18 They said, "Your evil augury be with you! Is it because you are admonished about the truth? Surely, you are a people transgressing all bounds!" 19 And from the remote part of the city there came a man running, he said: O my people! follow the apostles; 20 "Obey those who ask no reward of you (for themselves), and who have themselves received Guidance. 21 Why should I not serve the One Who created me and to Whom all of you shall be sent back? 22 What! shall I take besides Him gods whose intercession, If the Beneficent Allah should desire to afflict me with a harm, shall not avail me aught, nor shall they be able to deliver 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 (unto him): Enter paradise. He said: Would that my people knew 26 Of that on account of which my Lord has forgiven me and made me of the honored ones! 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 great blast and they fell down lifeless. 29 Ah! Alas for (My) Servants! There comes not a messenger to them but they mock him! 30 Have they not seen how many generations, living before them, had We destroyed and they cannot ever come back to them? 31 But all, without exception, will be brought before Us. 32