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 (first) sent to them two messengers, they rejected them: But We strengthened them with a third: they said, "Truly, we have been sent on a mission to you." 14 The (people) said: "Ye are only men like ourselves; and (Allah) Most Gracious sends no sort of revelation: ye do nothing but lie." 15 They said: Our Lord knows that we are most surely apostles to you. 16 "And our duty is only to convey plainly (the 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 said, "Your evil augury be with you! Is it because you are admonished about the truth? Surely, you are a people transgressing all bounds!" 19 And there came from the farthest end of the city a man, running. He said, "O my people, follow the messengers. 20 "Obey those who ask no wages of you (for themselves), and who 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 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 "I would indeed, if I were to do so, be in manifest Error. 24 “Indeed I have believed in your Lord, so heed me.” 25 It was said: Enter the garden. He said: O would that my people had known 26 Of how my Lord has forgiven me and placed me among the honored." 27 ۞ And We did not send down upon his people after him any hosts from heaven, nor do We ever send down. 28 It was naught but a single cry, and lo! they were still. 29 And it was said, “Woe to those bondmen – whenever a Noble Messenger comes to them, they mock at him!” 30 Have they not seen how many generations We destroyed before them, which will not return to them? 31 And all of them shall surely be brought before Us. 32