Strike for them a similitude -- the inhabitants of the city, when the Envoys came to it; 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, "You are not but human beings like us, and the Most Merciful has not revealed a thing. You are only telling lies." 15 They said: our Lord knoweth that we are surely unto you the sent ones. 16 who have been sent to you. Our only duty is to preach clearly to you". 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 Messengers said, "This ill omen lies within yourselves. Will you then take heed? In fact, you are a transgressing people." 19 And there came running from the farthest part of the town, a man, saying: "O my people! Obey the Messengers; 20 Follow such as ask no wage of you, that are right-guided. 21 Why should I not serve the One Who created me and to Whom all of you shall be sent back? 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 Surely in that case I should be in manifest error. 24 "For me, I have faith in the Lord of you (all): listen, then, to me!" 25 It was said, 'Enter Paradise!' He said, 'Ah, would that my people had knowledge 26 With what (munificence) my Lord hath pardoned me and made me of the honoured ones! 27 ۞ And We sent not down upon his people, after him, any host out of heaven; neither would We send any down. 28 It was only a single blast which made them extinct. 29 Alas for the servants! there comes not to them an apostle but they mock at him. 30 Do they not see how many of the generations We have destroyed before them? Verily, they will not return to them. 31 They will all be brought together before Us. 32