Narrate to them the example of the people of the city when the messengers came to it. 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 They said: ye are but human beings like ourselves; the Compassionate hath not sent down aught; ye are only lying. 15 They said: our Lord knoweth that we are surely unto you the sent ones. 16 “And our duty is nothing but to plainly convey (the message).” 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! Is it because ye are reminded (of the truth)? Nay, but ye are froward folk! 19 Then, from the furthest part of the city, a man came running. He said, "My people, follow the messengers. 20 Follow those who do not ask of you [any] payment, and they are [rightly] guided. 21 And why should I not worship He who created me and to whom you will 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 Surely in that case I should be in manifest error. 24 Indeed, I have believed in your Lord, so listen to me." 25 We said to him, "Enter paradise," and he exclaimed: "Would that my people knew 26 how my Lord has forgiven me and placed me among the honoured ones!" 27 ۞ After him, We did not send down any hosts from the heaven; We stood in no need to send down any host. 28 it was but one great blast and they fell down lifeless. 29 Alas for men! No apostle ever came to them but they made fun of him. 30 Have they not seen how many generations We destroyed before them, which will not return to them? 31 and [that] all of them, all together, will [in the end] before Us be arraigned? 32