Set forth to them, by way of a parable, the (story of) the Companions of the City. Behold!, there came messengers to it. 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: You are naught but mortals like ourselves, nor has the Beneficent Allah revealed anything; you only lie. 15 They said, "Our Lord knows that We are Messengers 16 "And our duty is only to proclaim the clear Message." 17 They said: Surely we augur evil from you; if you do not desist, we will certainly stone you, and there shall certainly afflict you a painful chastisement from us. 18 They (Messengers) said: "Your evil omens be with you! (Do you call it "evil omen") because you are admonished? Nay, but you are a people Musrifun (transgressing all bounds by committing all kinds of great sins, and by disobeying Allah). 19 At that, a man came running from the farthest end of the city, [and] exclaimed: "O my people! Follow these message-bearers! 20 Follow those who do not ask you for any reward and who are rightly guided. 21 "Why should I not worship God who has created me? To him you will all return. 22 "Shall I take (other) gods besides Him? If (Allah) Most Gracious should intend some adversity for me, of no use whatever will be their intercession for me, nor can they deliver me. 23 "Then verily, I should be in plain error. 24 "For me, I have faith in the Lord of you (all): listen, then, to me!" 25 (Eventually they killed him and he was told): “Enter Paradise.” The man exclaimed: “Would that my people knew 26 that my Lord has forgiven me, and caused me to be amongst the receivers of generosity' 27 ۞ And We did not send down upon his people after him any soldiers from the heaven, nor would We have done so. 28 It was not but one shout, and immediately they were extinguished. 29 Alas for human beings! They ridicule every messenger that comes to them. 30 Do they not see how many generations We have destroyed before them? Never shall they return to them. 31 But all, without exception, will be brought before Us. 32