Tell them the story of the people of the town to whom Messengers came. 13 When We sent them two messengers, they rejected them both, so We strengthened them with a third. They said, "Truly, we have been sent to you [by God] as messengers." 14 They said: Ye are but mortals like unto us. The Beneficent hath naught revealed. Ye do but lie! 15 They answered: Our Lord knoweth that we are indeed sent unto you, 16 and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.” 17 They said, "Indeed, we consider you a bad omen. If you do not desist, we will surely stone you, and there will surely touch you, from us, a painful punishment." 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 A man came running from the farthest part of the city saying, "My people, follow the Messengers. 20 Follow those who ask no reward of you, and themselves are rightly guided! 21 “And what is the matter with me that I should not worship Him Who created me, whereas it is towards Him that you are to return?” 22 "Shall I take (other) gods besides Him? If (Allah) Most Gracious should intend some adversity for me, of no use whatever will be their intercession for me, nor can they deliver me. 23 "Then verily, I should be in plain error. 24 Verily I believe now in your Lord; so hearken unto me. 25 It was said: enter thou the Garden. He said: would that my people knew. 26 "For that my Lord has granted me Forgiveness and has enrolled me among those held in honour!" 27 ۞ We did not send an army against his people from the heaven after his death nor did We need to send one. 28 It was only one Cry and lo, they were silent and still. 29 Alas for mankind! There never came a Messenger to them but they used to 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 And surely all, every one of them, shall be brought before Us. 32