Tell them the story of the people of the town to whom Messengers came. 13 When We had sent two towards them and they denied them both, so We fortified them with a third, and they all said, “Indeed we have been sent to you.” 14 They said, 'You are naught but mortals like us; the All-merciful has not sent down anything. You are speaking only lies.' 15 They said: "Our Lord doth know that we have been sent on a mission to you: 16 who have been sent to you. Our only duty is to preach clearly to you". 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 [The apostles] replied: "Your destiny, good or evil, is [bound up] with yourselves! [Does it seem evil to you] if you are told to take [the truth] to heart? Nay, but you are people who have wasted their own selves!" 19 Then a man came running from the other side of the city. "O my people," he said, "follow the messengers. 20 Follow him who does not ask you for reward, and they are the followers of the right course; 21 For what cause should I not serve Him Who hath created me, and unto Whom ye will be brought back? 22 Shall I take beside Him gods when, if the Compassionate should intend me any harm, their intercession will avail me not at all, nor would they save me? 23 "Then verily, I should be in plain error. 24 Lo! I have believed in your Lord, so hear me! 25 It was said (to him): 'Enter Paradise' and he said: 'Would that my people knew 26 "That my Lord (Allah) has forgiven me, and made me of the honoured ones!" 27 ۞ We sent not down against his people after him a host from heaven, nor do We ever send. 28 It was naught but a single cry, and lo! they were still. 29 Ah, woe for those servants! Never comes unto them a Messenger, but they mock at him. 30 Have they not seen how many generations We destroyed before them, which will not return to them? 31 They will all be brought together before Us. 32