AND HAS the story of Abraham's honoured guests ever come within thy ken? 24 When those [heavenly messengers] came unto him and bade him peace, he answered, "[And upon you be] peace!" - [saying to himself,] "They are strangers." 25 Then he turned quickly to his household, and brought a fatted calf, 26 and he laid it before them saying, 'Will you not eat?' 27 Then he conceived a fear of them. They said: fear not. And they gave him the tidings of a youth knowing. 28 Then his wife came forward, making moan, and smote her face, and cried: A barren old woman! 29 They said, 'So says thy Lord; He is the All-wise, the All-knowing.' 30 ۞ Abraham asked, "Messengers, what is your task?" 31 They said, “We have been sent towards a guilty nation.” 32 "To bring on, on them, (a shower of) stones of clay (brimstone), 33 “That are kept marked, with your Lord, for the transgressors.” 34 So We brought the believers out of that they were in. 35 but We found not therein except one house of those that have surrendered themselves. 36 And We left therein a sign for those who fear the afflictive torment. 37 And in Moosa, when We sent him with a clear proof towards Firaun. 38 Then he turned away with his court, and said: a magician or a madman. 39 So We took him and his hosts, and dumped them into the sea, while he was to be blamed. 40 And in 'Ad (there is also a sign) when We sent against them the barren wind; 41 that left nothing it came upon, except that it was ashes. 42 And in (the tribe of) Thamud (there is a portent) when it was told them: Take your ease awhile. 43 In response they rebelled against their Lord’s command, so the thunderbolt seized them whilst they were watching. 44 for they were unable even to rise, and could not defend themselves. 45 And the people of Noah before; surely they were an ungodly people. 46