Tell them the story of the people of the town to whom Messengers came. 13 When We sent unto them twain, and they denied them both, so We reinforced them with a third, and they said: Lo! we have been sent unto 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 They said, 'Our Lord knows we are Envoys unto you; 16 but we are not bound to do more than clearly deliver the message [entrusted to us]." 17 They (the people of the city) said, “We think you are ominous; indeed, if you do not desist, we shall surely stone you to death, and you will surely face a grievous torture at our hands.” 18 They said, "Your evil augury be with you! Is it because you are admonished about the truth? Surely, you are a people transgressing all bounds!" 19 In the meantime a man came running from the far end of the town, saying: “My people, follow the Messengers; 20 Follow those who ask no recompense of you and are rightly guided. 21 Why should I not serve the One Who created me and to Whom all of you shall be sent back? 22 What! shall I take besides Him gods whose intercession, If the Beneficent Allah should desire to afflict me with a harm, shall not avail me aught, nor shall they be able to deliver me? 23 Surely in that case I should be in manifest error. 24 Indeed, I have believed in your Lord, so listen to me." 25 It was said (to him): 'Enter Paradise' and he said: 'Would that my people knew 26 that my Lord has forgiven me and that He has placed me among the honoured.' 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 naught but a single cry, and lo! they were still. 29 Ah, the anguish for the bondmen! Never came there unto them a messenger but they did mock 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