AND HAS the story of Abraham's honoured guests ever come within thy ken? 24 When they entered unto him, saying 'Peace!' he said 'Peace! You are a people unknown to me.' 25 Then he turned away privately unto his household, and brought a calf fatted. 26 and placed it before them, saying, "Will you not eat?" 27 He began to feel afraid. They said, "Do not be afraid," and then gave him the glad news of the birth of a knowledgeable son. 28 Then his wife came forward, making moan, and smote her face, and cried: A barren old woman! 29 They answered: "Thus has thy Sustainer decreed; and verily, He alone is truly wise, all-knowing!" 30 ۞ Abraham asked, "Messengers, what is your task?" 31 They said: verily we are sent unto a people, guilty. 32 to let loose upon them stone-hard blows of chastisement, 33 Marked by your Lord for those who waste their substance." 34 So We brought forth such believers as were in it, 35 for apart from one [single] house We did not find there any who had surrendered themselves to Us. 36 And We left therein a sign for those who fear the afflictive torment. 37 As (there was) in Moses when We sent him to the Pharaoh with clear authority. 38 But he turned away with his supporters and said," A magician or a madman." 39 Then We laid hold of him and his hosts and flung them into the sea, and he was reproachable. 40 And [you have the same message] in [what happened to the tribe of] Ad, when We let loose against them that life-destroying wind 41 It left out nothing in its path, but which it split up into fragments. 42 And in Thamud's also was a lesson, when it was said unto them: enjoy yourselves for a season. 43 But they revolted against the commandment of their Lord, so the rumbling overtook them while they saw. 44 they could neither stand up straight, nor were they helped. 45 And [thus, too, We destroyed] Noah's people aforetime: for they were iniquitous folk. 46