AND SET FORTH unto them a parable - [the story of how] the people of a township [behaved] when [Our] message-bearers came unto them. 13 When We sent to them two but they denied them, so We strengthened them with a third, and they said, "Indeed, we are messengers to you." 14 They (people of the town) said: "You are only human beings like ourselves, and the Most Beneficent (Allah) has revealed nothing, you are only telling lies." 15 They answered, “Our Lord knows that surely, without doubt, we have been sent towards you.” 16 And nothing devolves on us but a clear deliverance (of the message). 17 (The people of the city) said: We augur ill of you. If ye desist not, we shall surely stone you, and grievous torture will befall you at our hands. 18 They said, "Your omen is with yourselves. Is it because you were reminded? Rather, you are a transgressing people." 19 Then a man came running from the other side of the city. "O my people," he said, "follow the messengers. 20 Follow those who do not ask of you [any] payment, and they are [rightly] guided. 21 "Why should I not worship God who has created me? To him you will all return. 22 Should I take to worshipping [other] deities beside Him? [But then,] if the Most Gracious should will that harm befall me, their intercession could not in the least avail me, nor could they save me: 23 (Had I worshipped things besides God, I would have been in manifest error). 24 Indeed, I have believed in your Lord, so listen to me." 25 It was said: "Enter thou the Garden." He said: "Ah me! Would that my People knew (what I know)!- 26 (wherein he said), "Would that people knew how my Lord has granted me forgiveness and honor". 27 ۞ And We did not send down upon his people after him any hosts from heaven, nor do We ever send down. 28 It was only one Cry and lo, they were silent and still. 29 Ah, woe for those servants! Never comes unto them a Messenger, but they mock at him. 30 Have they not seen how many nations before them did We destroy? Thereafter they never came back to them. 31 All of them shall (one day) be gathered before Us. 32