Set forth to them, by way of a parable, the (story of) the Companions of the City. Behold!, there came messengers to it. 13 When We sent them two messengers, they rejected them both, so We strengthened them with a third. They said, "Truly, we have been sent to you [by God] as messengers." 14 They said: You are naught but mortals like ourselves, nor has the Beneficent Allah revealed anything; you only lie. 15 The Messengers said: “Our Lord knows that we have indeed been sent to you 16 who have been sent to you. Our only duty is to preach clearly to you". 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 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 Then there came running, from the farthest part of the City, a man, saying, "O my people! Obey the messengers: 20 Follow those who do not ask of you [any] payment, and they are [rightly] guided. 21 "Why should I not worship God who has created me? To him you will all return. 22 Should I take other gods apart from Him, who would neither be able to intercede for me nor save me if Ar-Rahman brings me harm? 23 "I would indeed, if I were to do so, be in manifest Error. 24 I believe in your Lord, so listen to me." 25 It was said (unto him): Enter paradise. He said: 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 sent not down against his People, after him, any hosts from heaven, nor was it needful for Us so to do. 28 It was naught but a single cry, and lo! they were still. 29 How regretful for the servants. There did not come to them any messenger except that they used to ridicule him. 30 Have they not considered how many generations We destroyed before them - that they to them will not return? 31 They shall every one of them be arraigned before Us. 32