Strike for them a similitude -- the inhabitants of the city, when the Envoys came to it; 13 when We sent unto them two men, but they cried them lies, so We sent a third as reinforcement. They said, 'We are assuredly Envoys unto you. 14 "You are only men like us," they replied; "Ar-Rahman has not sent down any thing. You are speaking only lies." 15 They said: Our Lord knows that we are most surely apostles to you. 16 and it is only for us to deliver the Manifest Message.' 17 They answered: 'We predict evil of you. If you do not desist, we will stone you and a painful punishment from us will befall you' 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 At that, a man came running from the farthest end of the city, [and] exclaimed: "O my people! Follow these message-bearers! 20 Follow him who does not ask you for reward, and they are the followers of the right course; 21 "Why should I not worship God who has created me? To him you will all return. 22 "Shall I take besides Him aliha (gods), if the Most Beneficent (Allah) intends me any harm, their intercession will be of no use for me whatsoever, nor can they save me? 23 “Undoubtedly, I am then in open error.” 24 Indeed, I have believed in your Lord, so listen to me." 25 We said to him, "Enter paradise," and he exclaimed: "Would that my people knew 26 how my Sustainer has forgiven me [the sins of my past,] and has placed me among the honoured ones!" 27 ۞ We did not send down any army against his people from heaven, nor did We have to send one. 28 It was just one scream, and with it they were extinguished. 29 Alas for human beings! They ridicule every messenger that comes to them. 30 Behold they not how many We have destroyed before them of the generations! verily unto them they shall not return. 31 They will all be brought into Our presence together. 32