AND SET FORTH unto them a parable - [the story of how] the people of a township [behaved] when [Our] message-bearers came unto them. 13 When We sent to them two Messengers, they belied them both, so We reinforced them with a third, and they said: "Verily! We have been sent to you as Messengers." 14 But they said: 'You are only humans like ourselves. The Merciful has not sent down anything, your speech is but lies' 15 They answered: Our Lord knoweth that we are indeed sent unto you, 16 And nothing devolves on us but a clear deliverance (of the message). 17 The people said, "We have ill omens about you. If you will not desist, we shall stone you and make you suffer a painful torment". 18 [The apostles] replied: "Your destiny, good or evil, is [bound up] with yourselves! [Does it seem evil to you] if you are told to take [the truth] to heart? Nay, but you are people who have wasted their own selves!" 19 A man came running from the farthest part of the city saying, "My people, follow the Messengers. 20 follow those who ask no wage of you and are rightly guided. 21 And what aileth me that I should not worship Him who hath created me, and unto whom ye shall be returned. 22 Should I worship other gods besides Him? If the Beneficent God was to afflict me with hardship, the intercession of the idols can be of no benefit to me nor could it rescue me from hardship. 23 "Then verily, I should be in plain error. 24 Surely I believe in your Lord, therefore hear me. 25 (But they stoned him to death.) It was said to him: "Enter Paradise;" and he said: "If only my people knew 26 that my Lord has forgiven me and that He has placed me among the honoured.' 27 ۞ And after him, We did not send down any army from heaven against his people, nor did We intend to send down an army. 28 It was but one shout, and lo! they were extinct. 29 Alas for mankind! There never came a Messenger to them but they used to mock at him. 30 Do they not consider how many of the generations have We destroyed before them, because they do not turn to them? 31 All of them shall (one day) be gathered before Us. 32