Recount to them the example of the people to whose town Our messengers came. 13 When We sent two of them they called them liars; so We sent a third to strengthen them. "We have been sent to you," they said. 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 it is only for us to deliver a Clear Message' 17 They answered: 'We predict evil of you. If you do not desist, we will stone you and a painful punishment from us will befall you' 18 They said, 'Your augury is with you; if you are reminded? But you are a prodigal people.' 19 At that, a man came running from the farthest end of the city, [and] exclaimed: "O my people! Follow these message-bearers! 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 Should I worship other gods besides Him? If the Beneficent God was to afflict me with hardship, the intercession of the idols can be of no benefit to me nor could it rescue me from hardship. 23 "Then verily, I should be in plain error. 24 Lo! I have believed in your Lord, so hear me! 25 We said to him, "Enter paradise," and he exclaimed: "Would that my people knew 26 With what (munificence) my Lord hath pardoned me and made me of the honoured ones! 27 ۞ We did not send an army against his people from the heaven after his death nor did We need to send one. 28 it was but one great blast and they fell down lifeless. 29 And it was said, “Woe to those bondmen – whenever a Noble Messenger comes to them, they mock at him!” 30 Behold they not how many We have destroyed before them of the generations! verily unto them they shall not return. 31 and [that] all of them, all together, will [in the end] before Us be arraigned? 32