And present to them an example: the people of the city, when the messengers came to it - 13 When We sent to them two, they rejected both of them, then We strengthened (them) with a third, so they said: Surely we are apostles to you. 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 knoweth that we are surely unto you the sent ones. 16 "And our duty is only to convey plainly (the Message)." 17 Said [the others]: "Truly, we augur evil from you! Indeed, if you desist not, we will surely stone you, and grievous suffering is bound to befall you at our hands!" 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 Then, a man came running from the furthest part of the village 'My nation' he said, 'follow the Messengers, 20 Follow those who ask no reward of you, and themselves are rightly guided! 21 And what aileth me that I should not worship Him who hath created me, and unto whom ye shall be returned. 22 "Shall I take besides Him aliha (gods), if the Most Beneficent (Allah) intends me any harm, their intercession will be of no use for me whatsoever, nor can they save me? 23 Surely, I should then be in clear error. 24 Behold, I believe in your Lord; therefore hear me!' 25 (But they stoned him to death.) It was said to him: "Enter Paradise;" and he said: "If only my people knew 26 that my Lord has forgiven me and that He has placed me among the honoured.' 27 ۞ We did not send an army against his people from the heaven after his death nor did We need to send one. 28 nothing was [needed] but one single blast [of Our punishment] - and lo! they became as still and silent as ashes. 29 OH, THE REGRETS that [most] human beings will have to bear! Never has an apostle come to them without their deriding him! 30 Do they not consider how many of the generations have We destroyed before them, because they do not turn to them? 31 And indeed, all of them will yet be brought present before Us. 32