And propound thou unto them the similitude of the inhabitants of a town, when there came thereto the sent ones. 13 We sent to them two, but they belied them so We reinforced them with a third. They said: 'We have surely been sent as Messengers to you' 14 The people said, "You are mere mortals like us and the Beneficent God has sent nothing. You are only liars." 15 They said: our Lord knoweth that we are surely unto you the sent ones. 16 but we are not bound to do more than clearly deliver the message [entrusted to us]." 17 They said: verily we augur ill of you; if ye desist not, we shall surely stone you, and there will befall you from us a torment afflictive. 18 They said: your evil augury be with you. Call ye it an ill-luck because ye are admonished! Aye! ye are a people extravagant. 19 And there came from the farthest end of the city a man, running. He said, "O my people, follow the messengers. 20 Follow such as ask no wage of you, that are right-guided. 21 “And what is the matter with me that I should not worship Him Who created me, whereas it is towards Him that you are to return?” 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 “Indeed I have believed in your Lord, so heed me.” 25 It was said, 'Enter Paradise!' He said, 'Ah, would that my people had knowledge 26 “The manner in which my Lord has pardoned me and made me of the honoured ones!” 27 ۞ And We sent not against his people after him a host from heaven, nor have We been sending down any such. 28 It was no more than a single mighty Blast, and behold! they were (like ashes) quenched and silent. 29 Ah, the anguish for the bondmen! Never came there unto them a messenger but they did mock him! 30 Have they not considered how many generations We destroyed before them - that they to them will not return? 31 And all of them shall surely be brought before Us. 32