AND SET FORTH unto them a parable - [the story of how] the people of a township [behaved] when [Our] message-bearers came unto them. 13 We sent them two Messengers whom they rejected. We supported them by sending a third one who told the people, "We are the Messengers (of God) who have been sent to you". 14 The people said, "You are mere mortals like us and the Beneficent God has sent nothing. You are only liars." 15 They said: "Our Lord doth know that we have been sent on a mission to you: 16 and it is only for us to deliver the Manifest Message.' 17 They said, 'We augur ill of you. If you give not over, we will stone you and there shall visit you from us a painful chastisement.' 18 They said: Your evil augury be with you! Is it because ye are reminded (of the truth)? Nay, but ye are froward folk! 19 Then a man came running from the other side of the city. "O my people," he said, "follow the messengers. 20 follow those who do not ask any recompense from you and are rightly-guided. 21 And what aileth me that I should not worship Him who hath created me, and unto whom ye shall be returned. 22 Shall I take others besides Him as gods? If the Gracious God should intend me any harm, their intercession will be of no avail, nor can they deliver me. 23 "I would indeed, if I were to do so, be in manifest Error. 24 Lo! I have believed in your Lord, so hear me! 25 (Having been murdered by the disbelievers) he was told to enter paradise 26 That my Lord hath forgiven me, and hath 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 It was only one Cry and lo, they were silent and still. 29 Ah the misery of the bondmen! there cometh not unto them an apostle, but him they have been mocking. 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 And surely, all, everyone of them will be brought before Us. 32