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 when We sent unto them two men, but they cried them lies, so We sent a third as reinforcement. They said, 'We are assuredly Envoys unto you. 14 They said: You are naught but mortals like ourselves, nor has the Beneficent Allah revealed anything; you only lie. 15 They said: "Our Lord doth know that we have been sent on a mission to you: 16 "And our duty is only to convey plainly (the Message)." 17 The (people) said: "for us, we augur an evil omen from you: if ye desist not, we will certainly stone you. And a grievous punishment indeed will be inflicted on you by us." 18 They said, “Your evil omens are with you! What! You get annoyed for being advised? In fact you are a people who transgress the limits!” 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 ask no recompense of you and are rightly guided. 21 "Why should I not worship Him who has brought me into being, and to whom you shall all be recalled? 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 "I would indeed, if I were to do so, be in manifest Error. 24 I believe in your Lord; so listen to me.” 25 It was said (unto him): Enter paradise. He said: Would that my people knew 26 "That my Lord (Allah) has forgiven me, and made me of the honoured ones!" 27 ۞ We did not send down any army against his people from heaven, nor did We have to send one. 28 nothing was [needed] but one single blast [of Our punishment] - and lo! they became as still and silent as ashes. 29 Ah the misery of the bondmen! there cometh not unto them an apostle, but him they have been mocking. 30 Have they not seen how many generations We destroyed before them, which will not return to them? 31 And surely all, every one of them, shall be brought before Us. 32