And propound thou unto them the similitude of the inhabitants of a town, when there came thereto the sent ones. 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 The people of the town said: “You are only human beings like ourselves, and the Merciful Lord has revealed nothing. You are simply lying.” 15 (The messengers) said: "Our Lord knows that we have been sent to you. 16 And we are not responsible except for clear notification." 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 omens are with yourselves: (deem ye this an evil omen). If ye are admonished? Nay, but ye are a people transgressing all bounds!" 19 And from the outermost part of the city came a man running; he said, “O my people! Obey those who have been sent.” 20 Follow those who ask of you no fee, and who are rightly 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 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 "Verily, [O my people,] in the Sustainer of you all have I come to believe: listen, then, to me!" 25 (Having been murdered by the disbelievers) he was told to enter paradise 26 for what reason Allah has forgiven me and placed me among 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 but one great blast and they fell down lifeless. 29 And it was said, “Woe to those bondmen – whenever a Noble Messenger comes to them, they mock at him!” 30 Behold they not how many We have destroyed before them of the generations! verily unto them they shall not return. 31 All of them, gathered together, will certainly be brought before Us. 32