At length when the messengers arrived among the adherents of Lut, 61 he said: "Surely you are an unknown folk." 62 They answered: "Nay, but we have come unto thee with [the announcement of] something that they [who are given to evil] have always been wont to call in question, 63 We truly tell you that we have brought to you the Truth. 64 So set forth, thou with thy family, in a watch of the night, and follow after the backs of them, and let not any one of you turn round; and depart unto the place you are commanded.' 65 And We made known to him this decree that the wrongdoers were to be utterly cut off in the morning. 66 The inhabitants of the city came in (mad) joy (at news of the young men). 67 [Lot] said, "Indeed, these are my guests, so do not shame me. 68 Fear God and do not shame me." 69 They said; Have we not forbidden you from (entertaining) anyone? 70 [Lout (Lot)] said: "These (the girls of the nation) are my daughters (to marry lawfully), if you must act (so)." 71 By thy life, in their intoxication they were wandering bewildered. 72 An explosion struck them at sunrise. 73 We turned the town upside down and rained upon them stones of clay. 74 Surely in that are signs for such as mark; 75 for, behold, those [towns] stood by a road that still exists. 76 Lo! therein is indeed a portent for believers. 77 And the Companions of the Wood were also wrong-doers; 78 So We chastised them. The desolate locations of both communities lie on a well-known highway. 79