AND SET FORTH unto them a parable - [the story of how] the people of a township [behaved] when [Our] message-bearers came unto them. 13 when We sent unto them two men, but they cried them lies, so We sent a third as reinforcement. They said, 'We are assuredly Envoys unto you. 14 [The others] answered: "You are nothing but mortal men like ourselves; moreover, the Most Gracious has never bestowed aught [of revelation] from on high. You do nothing but lie!" 15 They said: 'Our Lord knows that we are Messengers to you. 16 And it is only for us to deliver a Clear Message' 17 The (people) said: "for us, we augur an evil omen from you: if ye desist not, we will certainly stone you. And a grievous punishment indeed will be inflicted on you by us." 18 They said: "Your evil omens are with yourselves: (deem ye this an evil omen). If ye are admonished? Nay, but ye are a people transgressing all bounds!" 19 In the meantime a man came running from the far end of the town, saying: “My people, follow the Messengers; 20 Follow those who do not ask of you [any] payment, and they are [rightly] guided. 21 "It would not be reasonable in me if I did not serve Him Who created me, and to Whom ye shall (all) be brought back. 22 What! Shall I take any deities apart from Him whose intercession will not avail me the least were the Merciful One to bring any adversity upon me, nor will they be able to rescue me? 23 Surely in that case I should indeed be in evident error. 24 Indeed, I have believed in your Lord, so listen to me." 25 It was said: enter thou the Garden. He said: would that my people knew. 26 Of how my Lord has forgiven me and placed me among the honored." 27 ۞ And after that, no host out of heaven did We send down against his people, nor did We need to send down any: 28 It was but one shout, and lo! they were extinct. 29 Ah, the anguish for the bondmen! Never came there unto them a messenger but they did mock him! 30 Do they not see how many of the generations We have destroyed before them? Verily, they will not return to them. 31 All of them shall (one day) be gathered before Us. 32