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 but they denied them, so We strengthened them with a third, and they said, "Indeed, we are messengers to you." 14 They said, "You are not but human beings like us, and the Most Merciful has not revealed a thing. You are only telling lies." 15 They said: "Our Lord doth know that we have been sent on a mission to you: 16 And our duty is but plain conveyance (of the message). 17 They (the people of the city) said, “We think you are ominous; indeed, if you do not desist, we shall surely stone you to death, and you will surely face a grievous torture at our hands.” 18 They said: "Your evil omens are with yourselves: (deem ye this an evil omen). If ye are admonished? Nay, but ye are a people transgressing all bounds!" 19 In the meantime a man came running from the far end of the town, saying: “My people, follow the Messengers; 20 Follow those who ask of you no fee, and who are rightly guided. 21 And what reason have I that I should not serve Him Who brought me into existence? And to Him you shall be brought back; 22 What! Shall I take any deities apart from Him whose intercession will not avail me the least were the Merciful One to bring any adversity upon me, nor will they be able to rescue me? 23 Surely in that case I should indeed be in evident error. 24 "Verily, [O my people,] in the Sustainer of you all have I come to believe: listen, then, to me!" 25 [And] he was told, "[Thou shalt] enter paradise!" - [whereupon] he exclaimed: "Would that my people knew 26 “The manner in which my Lord has pardoned me and made me of the honoured ones!” 27 ۞ And We did not send down to his nation after him any army from heaven, neither would We send any down. 28 It was naught but a single cry, and lo! they were still. 29 OH, THE REGRETS that [most] human beings will have to bear! Never has an apostle come to them without their deriding him! 30 Have they not seen how many generations We destroyed before them, which indeed returned not unto them; 31 And all of them shall surely be brought before Us. 32