Give to them a parable; to the people of the village there came Messengers, 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 naught but mortals like us; the All-merciful has not sent down anything. You are speaking only lies.' 15 They said, "Our Lord knows that we have been sent 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 fortune is with you; what! if you are reminded! Nay, you are an extravagant people. 19 And there came from the farthest end of the city a man, running. He said, "O my people, follow the messengers. 20 Follow those who do not ask for any recompense of you, and are rightly guided. 21 “And what is the matter with me that I should not worship Him Who created me, whereas it is towards Him that you are to return?” 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 In that case I shall most surely be in clear 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 “The manner in which my Lord has pardoned me and made me of the honoured ones!” 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 only one Cry and lo, they were silent and still. 29 How regretful for the servants. There did not come to them any messenger except that they used to ridicule him. 30 Do they not see how many of the generations We have destroyed before them? Verily, they will not return to them. 31 And surely, all, everyone of them will be brought before Us. 32