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 Messengers, they belied them both, so We reinforced them with a third, and they said: "Verily! We have been sent to you as Messengers." 14 They replied, "You are nothing but mortal men like us and the Merciful God has not revealed anything. You are surely lying." 15 The Messengers said: "Our Lord knows that we have been sent as Messengers to you, 16 And on us is naught but manifest preaching. 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 And there came from the farthest part of the town a man running. He said; O my people! follow the sent ones. 20 Follow those who do not ask of you [any] payment, and they are [rightly] guided. 21 And why should I not worship He who created me and to whom you will be returned? 22 Should I take to worshipping [other] deities beside Him? [But then,] if the Most Gracious should will that harm befall me, their intercession could not in the least avail me, nor could they save me: 23 Surely in that case I should be in manifest error. 24 I believe in your Lord; so listen to me.” 25 It was said (to him when the disbelievers killed him): "Enter Paradise." He said: "Would that my people knew! 26 for what reason Allah has forgiven me and placed me among the honoured ones.” 27 ۞ And after that, no host out of heaven did We send down against his people, nor did We need to send down any: 28 It was only one Cry and lo, they were silent and still. 29 Woe, for those (unbelieving) worshipers! They mocked every Messenger that came to them. 30 Do they not see how many generations We have destroyed before them? Never shall they return to them. 31 All of them shall (one day) be gathered before Us. 32