And present to them an example: the people of the city, when the messengers came to it - 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 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 Messengers to you. 16 And on us is naught but manifest preaching. 17 They answered: 'We predict evil of you. If you do not desist, we will stone you and a painful punishment from us will befall you' 18 They said: 'Your prediction is with you, if you are reminded. Surely, you are but a wayward nation' 19 And from the remote part of the city there came a man running, he said: O my people! follow the apostles; 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 originated me and to whom you shall all be returned? 22 Should I worship other gods besides Him? If the Beneficent God was to afflict me with hardship, the intercession of the idols can be of no benefit to me nor could it rescue me from hardship. 23 In that case I would surely be in clear error. 24 "Verily, [O my people,] in the Sustainer of you all have I come to believe: listen, then, to me!" 25 It was said: Enter the garden. He said: O would that my people had known 26 With what (munificence) my Lord hath pardoned me and made me of the honoured ones! 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 but one shout, and lo! they were extinct. 29 Alas for My servants! Never does a Messenger come to them but they mock him. 30 Do they not see how many generations We have destroyed before them? Never shall they return to them. 31 They shall every one of them be arraigned before Us. 32