And put forward to them a similitude; the (story of the) dwellers of the town, [It is said that the town was Antioch (Antakiya)], when there came Messengers to them. 13 When We sent to them two but they denied them, so We strengthened them with a third, and they said, "Indeed, we are messengers 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 have been sent to you. 16 And our duty is only to convey the message to you clearly," 17 They said: verily we augur ill of you; if ye desist not, we shall surely stone you, and there will befall you from us a torment afflictive. 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 And there came from the farthest end of the city a man, running. He said, "O my people, follow the messengers. 20 “Obey those who do not ask any fee from you, and they are on guidance.” 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 Verily then I should be in error manifest. 24 "Verily, [O my people,] in the Sustainer of you all have I come to believe: listen, then, to me!" 25 It was said (unto him): Enter paradise. He said: Would that my people knew 26 that my Lord has forgiven me and that He has placed me among the honoured.' 27 ۞ And We did not send down upon his people after him any soldiers from the heaven, nor would We have done so. 28 nothing was [needed] but one single blast [of Our punishment] - and lo! they became as still and silent as ashes. 29 How regretful for the servants. There did not come to them any messenger except that they used to ridicule him. 30 Do they not consider how many of the generations have We destroyed before them, because they do not turn to them? 31 And indeed, all of them will yet be brought present before Us. 32