AND WHEN the messengers [of God] came to the house of Lot, 61 he said: "Surely you are an unknown folk." 62 They answered: "Nay, but we have come unto thee with [the announcement of] something that they [who are given to evil] have always been wont to call in question, 63 And bring thee the Truth, and lo! we are truth-tellers. 64 So set forth, thou with thy family, in a watch of the night, and follow after the backs of them, and let not any one of you turn round; and depart unto the place you are commanded.' 65 We issued this command to him, for they were going to be destroyed in the morning. 66 And the people of the city came rejoicing. 67 He said: 'These are my guests; do not shame me. 68 Fear Allah and do not disgrace me' 69 They said, "Did we not forbid you to extend hospitality to strangers?" 70 He said: These are my daughters, if you will do (aught). 71 Verily, by thy life (O Prophet), in their wild intoxication, they wander in distraction, to and fro. 72 Therefore the scream overcame them at sunrise. 73 and turned the land upside down, and rained down stones of baked clay. 74 In this there is evidence (of the Truth) for the prudent ones. 75 for, behold, those [towns] stood by a road that still exists. 76 surely in that is a sign for believers. 77 Certainly the dwellers in the Thicket were evildoers, 78 So We exacted retribution from them. They were both on an open highway, plain to see. 79