And propound thou unto them the similitude of the inhabitants of a town, when there came thereto the sent ones. 13 Lo! We sent unto them two [apostles,] and they gave the lie to both; and so We strengthened [the two] with a third; and thereupon they said: "Behold, we have been sent unto you [by God]!" 14 They said: Ye are but mortals like unto us. The Beneficent hath naught revealed. Ye do but lie! 15 They said, 'Our Lord knows we are Envoys unto you; 16 who have been sent to you. Our only duty is to preach clearly to you". 17 (The people of the city) said: We augur ill of you. If ye desist not, we shall surely stone you, and grievous torture will befall you at our hands. 18 The Messengers said, "This ill omen lies within yourselves. Will you then take heed? In fact, you are a transgressing people." 19 A man came running from the farthest part of the city saying, "My people, follow the Messengers. 20 Follow those who do not ask of you [any] payment, and they are [rightly] guided. 21 For what cause should I not serve Him Who hath created me, and unto Whom ye will be brought back? 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 It was said, "Enter Paradise." He said, "I wish my people could know 26 that my Lord has forgiven me, and caused me to be amongst the receivers of generosity' 27 ۞ And We sent not down against his People, after him, any hosts from heaven, nor was it needful for Us so to do. 28 It was not but one shout, and immediately they were extinguished. 29 How regretful for the servants. There did not come to them any messenger except that they used to ridicule him. 30 Are they not aware of how many a generation We have destroyed before their time, [and] that those [that have perished] will never return to them, 31 And without exception, all of them will be brought forth before Us. 32