And propound thou unto them the similitude of the inhabitants of a town, when there came thereto the sent ones. 13 Lo! We sent unto them two [apostles,] and they gave the lie to both; and so We strengthened [the two] with a third; and thereupon they said: "Behold, we have been sent unto you [by God]!" 14 They said: ye are but human beings like ourselves; the Compassionate hath not sent down aught; ye are only lying. 15 They answered: Our Lord knoweth that we are indeed sent unto you, 16 “And our duty is nothing but to plainly convey (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 They said: Your evil augury be with you! Is it because ye are reminded (of the truth)? Nay, but ye are froward folk! 19 In the meantime a man came running from the far end of the town, saying: “My people, follow the Messengers; 20 Follow him who does not ask you for reward, and they are the followers of the right course; 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 Shall I take others besides Him as gods? If the Gracious God should intend me any harm, their intercession will be of no avail, nor can they deliver me. 23 Surely, I should then be in clear error. 24 Behold, I believe in your Lord; therefore hear me!' 25 We said to him, "Enter paradise," and he exclaimed: "Would that my people knew 26 that my Lord has forgiven me and that He has placed me among the honoured.' 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 shout, and lo! they were extinct. 29 Ah the misery of the bondmen! there cometh not unto them an apostle, but him they have been mocking. 30 Have they not considered how many generations We destroyed before them - that they to them will not return? 31 And indeed, all of them will yet be brought present before Us. 32