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 them two messengers, they rejected them both, so We strengthened them with a third. They said, "Truly, we have been sent to you [by God] as messengers." 14 But they said: 'You are only humans like ourselves. The Merciful has not sent down anything, your speech is but lies' 15 They answered: Our Lord knoweth that we are indeed sent unto you, 16 "And our duty is only to convey plainly (the Message)." 17 They said, "Indeed, we consider you a bad omen. If you do not desist, we will surely stone you, and there will surely touch you, from us, a painful punishment." 18 They said: Your evil augury be with you! Is it because ye are reminded (of the truth)? Nay, but ye are froward folk! 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 ask not of you any hire, and who 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 take to worshipping [other] deities beside Him? [But then,] if the Most Gracious should will that harm befall me, their intercession could not in the least avail me, nor could they save me: 23 (Had I worshipped things besides God, I would have been in manifest error). 24 Messengers, listen to me. I believe in your Lord." 25 (But they stoned him to death.) It was said to him: "Enter Paradise;" and he said: "If only my people knew 26 how my Lord has forgiven me and placed me among 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 a single blast which made them extinct. 29 Ah, woe for those servants! Never comes unto them a Messenger, but they mock at him. 30 Do they not see how many generations We have destroyed before them? Never shall they return to them. 31 And all of them shall surely be brought before Us. 32