Give to them a parable; to the people of the village there came Messengers, 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 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 are messengers to you, 16 who have been sent to you. Our only duty is to preach clearly to you". 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 (The messengers) said: "The augury is within your own selves. Do you (consider it a bad omen) that you should be warned? You are a people guilty of excess." 19 And there came from the uttermost part of the city a man running. He cried: O my people! Follow those who have been sent! 20 Follow those who do not ask for any recompense of you, and are rightly guided. 21 Why should I not worship Him who has originated me and to whom you shall all be returned? 22 What, shall I take, apart from Him, gods whose intercession, if the All-merciful desires affliction for me, shall not avail me anything, and who will never deliver me? 23 Verily then I should be in error manifest. 24 Indeed, I have believed in your Lord, so listen to me." 25 It was said: Enter the garden. He said: O would that my people had known 26 how my Sustainer has forgiven me [the sins of my past,] and has placed me among the honoured ones!" 27 ۞ And We did not send down to his nation after him any army from heaven, neither would We send any down. 28 It was no more than a single mighty Blast, and behold! they were (like ashes) quenched and silent. 29 Alas for My servants! Never does a Messenger come to them but they mock him. 30 Have they not seen how many generations, living before them, had We destroyed and they cannot ever come back to them? 31 And indeed, all of them will yet be brought present before Us. 32