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 unto them twain, and they denied them both, so We reinforced them with a third, and they said: Lo! we have been sent unto you. 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 doth know that we have been sent on a mission to you: 16 and it is only for us to deliver the Manifest 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 The Messengers said, "This ill omen lies within yourselves. Will you then take heed? In fact, you are a transgressing people." 19 A man came running from the farthest part of the city saying, "My people, follow the Messengers. 20 "Obey those who ask no reward of you (for themselves), and who have themselves received Guidance. 21 Why should I not worship Him who has originated me and to whom you shall all be returned? 22 "Shall I take (other) gods besides Him? If (Allah) Most Gracious should intend some adversity for me, of no use whatever will be their intercession for me, nor can they deliver me. 23 In that case I should indeed be in manifest error. 24 I believe in your Lord, so listen to me." 25 It was said: Enter the garden. He said: O would that my people had known 26 for what reason Allah has forgiven me and placed me among the honoured ones.” 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 only a single blast which made them extinct. 29 How regretful for the servants. There did not come to them any messenger except that they used to ridicule him. 30 See they not how many generations before them we destroyed? Not to them will they return: 31 And indeed, all of them will yet be brought present before Us. 32