AND, INDEED, there came unto Abraham Our [heavenly] messengers, bearing a glad tiding. They bade him peace; [and] he answered, "[And upon you be] peace!" - and made haste to place before them a roasted calf. 69 But when he saw their hands not reaching for it, he distrusted them and felt from them apprehension. They said, "Fear not. We have been sent to the people of Lot." 70 And his Wife was standing, and she smiled. Then We gave her good tidings of Isaac and after Isaac, Jacob. 71 She said (in astonishment): "Woe unto me! Shall I bear a child while I am an old woman, and here is my husband, an old man? Verily! This is a strange thing!" 72 They said, 'What, dost thou marvel at God's command? The mercy of God and His blessings be upon you, O people of the House! Surely He is All-laudable, All-glorious.' 73 Thus when fear had left Abraham and the good news had been conveyed to him, he began to dispute with Us concerning the people of Lot. 74 For Abraham was, without doubt, forbearing (of faults), compassionate, and given to look to Allah. 75 Thereupon (Our angels) said to him: 'O Abraham! Desist from this, for indeed your Lord's command has come; and a chastisement which cannot be averted is about to befall them.' words literally suggest; the purpose is merely to express a sense of wonder. 76 When Our Messengers came to Lot, he became sorrowful and felt totally helpless. He said, "This is indeed a distressful day". 77 And his people came to him, (as if) rushed on towards him, and already they did evil deeds. He said: O my people! these are my daughters-- they are purer for you, so guard against (the punishment of) Allah and do not disgrace me with regard to my guests; is there not among you one right-minded man? 78 They said: assuredly thou knowest that we have no right to thy daughters, and verily thou knowest that which we would have. 79 He said: 'Would that I were powerful over you, or might take refuge in a strong pillar' 80 They said, 'Lot, we are messengers of thy Lord. They shall not reach thee; so set forth, thou with thy family, in a watch of the night, and let not any one of you turn round, excepting thy wife; surely she shall be smitten by that which smites them. Their promised time is the morning; is the morning not nigh?' 81 So when Our command came, We made the highest part [of the city] its lowest and rained upon them stones of layered hard clay, [which were] 82 marked from your Lord. Nor is the punishment far off from the wrong-doers. 83