Strike for them a similitude -- the inhabitants of the city, when the Envoys came to it; 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 They said, "Our Lord knows that We are Messengers 16 "And our duty is only to convey plainly (the Message)." 17 but they answered, "We see an evil omen in you. If you do not stop, we shall certainly stone you, and you will suffer a painful punishment at our hands." 18 The Messengers said, "This ill omen lies within yourselves. Will you then take heed? In fact, you are a transgressing people." 19 And there came running from the farthest part of the town, a man, saying: "O my people! Obey the Messengers; 20 Follow such as ask no wage of you, that are right-guided. 21 "Why should I not worship God who has created me? To him you will all return. 22 Shall I take (other) gods in place of Him when, if the Beneficent should wish me any harm, their intercession will avail me naught, nor can they save? 23 Surely in that case I should be in manifest error. 24 I believe in your Lord, so listen to me." 25 It was said: enter thou the Garden. He said: would that my people knew. 26 that my Lord has forgiven me, and caused me to be amongst the receivers of generosity' 27 ۞ And We sent not against his people after him a host from heaven, nor have We been sending down any such. 28 It was naught but a single cry, and lo! they were still. 29 Ah! Alas for (My) Servants! There comes not a messenger to them but they mock him! 30 What, have they not seen how many generations We have destroyed before them, and that it is not unto them that they return? 31 They shall every one of them be arraigned before Us. 32