Tell them the story of the people of the town to whom Messengers came. 13 When We (first) sent to them two messengers, they rejected them: But We strengthened them with a third: they said, "Truly, we have been sent on a mission to you." 14 They said: Ye are but mortals like unto us. The Beneficent hath naught revealed. Ye do but lie! 15 They said, "Our Lord knows that we are messengers to you, 16 but we are not bound to do more than clearly deliver the message [entrusted to us]." 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 They said, "Your evil augury be with you! Is it because you are admonished about the truth? Surely, you are a people transgressing all bounds!" 19 Then there came running, from the farthest part of the City, a man, saying, "O my people! Obey the messengers: 20 Follow those who ask not of you any hire, and who are rightly guided. 21 "[As for me,] why should I not worship Him who has brought me into being, and to whom you all will be brought back? 22 “What! Shall I appoint Gods other than Allah? So that if the Most Gracious should wish me any harm, their intercession would be of no use to me, nor would they be able to save 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 to him, “Enter Paradise”; he said, “If only my people knew!” 26 how my Sustainer has forgiven me [the sins of my past,] and has placed me among the honoured ones!" 27 ۞ And after that, no host out of heaven did We send down against his people, nor did We need to send down any: 28 It was only a single blast which made them extinct. 29 Alas for My servants! Never does a Messenger come to them but they mock him. 30 Have they not seen how many generations We destroyed before them, which will not return to them? 31 And all of them shall surely be brought before Us. 32