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 two of them they called them liars; so We sent a third to strengthen them. "We have been sent to you," they said. 14 The (people) said: "Ye are only men like ourselves; and (Allah) Most Gracious sends no sort of revelation: ye do nothing but lie." 15 They answered: Our Lord knoweth that we are indeed sent unto you, 16 And we are not responsible except for clear notification." 17 They (the people of the city) said, “We think you are ominous; indeed, if you do not desist, we shall surely stone you to death, and you will surely face a grievous torture at our hands.” 18 They said: your evil augury be with you. Call ye it an ill-luck because ye are admonished! Aye! ye are a people extravagant. 19 Then came a man from the furthest part of the city, running; he said, 'My people, follow the Envoys! 20 Follow those who ask not of you any hire, and who are rightly guided. 21 Why should I not worship Him who has originated me and to whom you shall all be returned? 22 Should I take other than Him [false] deities [while], if the Most Merciful intends for me some adversity, their intercession will not avail me at all, nor can they save me? 23 and so, behold, I would have indeed, most obviously, lost myself in error! 24 Verily I believe now in your Lord; so hearken unto me. 25 It was said: Enter the garden. He said: O would that my people had known 26 “The manner in which my Lord has pardoned me and made me of the honoured ones!” 27 ۞ And We sent not against his people after him a host from heaven, nor do We send (such a thing). 28 It was only one Shout and they were silent, still. 29 Alas for My servants! Never does a Messenger come to them but they mock him. 30 Have they not seen how many generations We destroyed before them? They shall never return to them, 31 all shall be arraigned before Us. 32