Give to them a parable; to the people of the village there came Messengers, 13 We sent to them two, but they belied them so We reinforced them with a third. They said: 'We have surely been sent as Messengers to you' 14 They replied, "You are nothing but mortal men like us and the Merciful God has not revealed anything. You are surely lying." 15 Said [the apostles]: "Our Sustainer knows that we have indeed been sent unto you; 16 "And our duty is only to convey plainly (the Message)." 17 (The people of the city) said: We augur ill of you. If ye desist not, we shall surely stone you, and grievous torture will befall you at our hands. 18 They said: 'Your prediction is with you, if you are reminded. Surely, you are but a wayward nation' 19 Then came a man from the furthest part of the city, running; he said, 'My people, follow the Envoys! 20 Follow him who does not ask you for reward, and they are the followers of the right course; 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 any deities apart from Him whose intercession will not avail me the least were the Merciful One to bring any adversity upon me, nor will they be able to rescue me? 23 Surely in that case I should indeed be in evident error. 24 Messengers, listen to me. I believe in your Lord." 25 It was said to him, “Enter Paradise”; he said, “If only my people knew!” 26 With what (munificence) my Lord hath pardoned me and made me of the honoured ones! 27 ۞ And We sent not down against his People, after him, any hosts from heaven, nor was it needful for Us so to do. 28 There was but a single Blast and suddenly they became silent and still. 29 Ah, the anguish for the bondmen! Never came there unto them a messenger but they did mock him! 30 Have they not seen how many generations We destroyed before them, which will not return to them? 31 All of them shall (one day) be gathered before Us. 32