Set forth to them, by way of a parable, the (story of) the Companions of the City. Behold!, there came messengers 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 [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 Said [the apostles]: "Our Sustainer knows that we have indeed been sent unto you; 16 And nothing devolves on us but a clear deliverance (of the message). 17 They said, 'We augur ill of you. If you give not over, we will stone you and there shall visit you from us a painful chastisement.' 18 [The apostles] replied: "Your destiny, good or evil, is [bound up] with yourselves! [Does it seem evil to you] if you are told to take [the truth] to heart? Nay, but you are people who have wasted their own selves!" 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 of you no fee, and who 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 (other) gods in place of Him when, if the Beneficent should wish me any harm, their intercession will avail me naught, nor can they save? 23 Verily then I should be in error manifest. 24 I believe in your Lord; so listen to me.” 25 It was said: "Enter thou the Garden." He said: "Ah me! Would that my People knew (what I know)!- 26 “The manner in which my Lord has pardoned me and made me of 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 Woe to human beings! Whenever a Messenger came to them, they mocked 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 [that] all of them, all together, will [in the end] before Us be arraigned? 32