Recite to them, as a case in point, the story of the people of the town when the Messengers came to 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 "You are only men like us," they replied; "Ar-Rahman has not sent down any thing. You are speaking only lies." 15 They said: our Lord knoweth that we are surely unto you the sent ones. 16 And nothing devolves on us but a clear deliverance (of the message). 17 They said, 'We augur ill of you. If you give not over, we will stone you and there shall visit you from us a painful chastisement.' 18 The Messengers replied: “Your evil omen is with you. (Are you saying this) because you were asked to take heed? The truth is that you are a people who have exceeded all bounds.” 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 any recompense from you and 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, other than Him, gods whose intercession, if the Merciful desires to afflict me, cannot help me at all, and they will never save me? 23 "Then verily, I should be in plain error. 24 Indeed, I have believed in your Lord, so listen to me." 25 It was said: "Enter thou the Garden." He said: "Ah me! Would that my People knew (what I know)!- 26 for what reason Allah has forgiven me and placed me among the honoured ones.” 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 but one shout, and lo! they were extinct. 29 Alas for men! No apostle ever came to them but they made fun of him. 30 See they not how many generations before them we destroyed? Not to them will they return: 31 They will all be brought together before Us. 32