Strike for them a similitude -- the inhabitants of the city, when the Envoys came 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 But they said: 'You are only humans like ourselves. The Merciful has not sent down anything, your speech is but lies' 15 The Messengers said: "Our Lord knows that we have been sent as Messengers to you, 16 And our duty is but plain conveyance (of the message). 17 (The people of the city) said: We augur ill of you. If ye desist not, we shall surely stone you, and grievous torture will befall you at our hands. 18 They said: Your evil fortune is with you; what! if you are reminded! Nay, you are an extravagant people. 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 Him who has brought me into being, and to whom you shall all be recalled? 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 (Had I worshipped things besides God, I would have been in manifest error). 24 Surely I believe in your Lord, therefore hear me. 25 It was said, "Enter Paradise." He said, "I wish my people could know 26 that my Lord has forgiven me, and caused me to be amongst the receivers of generosity' 27 ۞ After him We did not send down against his people a host from heaven, nor do We send down such hosts: 28 It was just one scream, and with it they were extinguished. 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 seen how many nations before them did We destroy? Thereafter they never came back to them. 31 All of them, gathered together, will certainly be brought before Us. 32