Give to them a parable; to the people of the village there came Messengers, 13 When We sent to them two, they rejected both of them, then We strengthened (them) with a third, so they said: Surely we are apostles to 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 knows that we are most surely apostles to you. 16 but we are not bound to do more than clearly deliver the message [entrusted to us]." 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 The Messengers said, "This ill omen lies within yourselves. Will you then take heed? In fact, you are a transgressing people." 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 reward of you, and themselves are rightly guided! 21 Why should I not worship Him who has originated me and to whom you shall all be returned? 22 Shall I take (other) gods in place of Him when, if the Beneficent should wish me any harm, their intercession will avail me naught, nor can they save? 23 Then truly I should be in error manifest. 24 I believe in your Lord, so hear me' 25 [And] he was told, "[Thou shalt] enter paradise!" - [whereupon] he exclaimed: "Would that my people knew 26 that my Lord has forgiven me and that He has placed me among the honoured.' 27 ۞ We did not send down any army against his people from heaven, nor did We have to send one. 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 Do they not see how many of the generations We have destroyed before them? Verily, they will not return to them. 31 But all, without exception, will be brought before Us. 32