Tell them the story of the people of the town to whom Messengers came. 13 We sent to them two Messengers and they rejected both of them as liars. Then We strengthened them with a third (Messenger). They said: “We have been sent to you as Messengers.” 14 They said, 'You are naught but mortals like us; the All-merciful has not sent down anything. You are speaking only lies.' 15 The Messengers said: "Our Lord knows that we have been sent as Messengers to you, 16 "And our duty is only to proclaim the clear Message." 17 They rejoined: "We feel you augur ill. If you do not desist, we shall stone you to death, and inflict a grievous punishment on you." 18 (The messengers) said: "The augury is within your own selves. Do you (consider it a bad omen) that you should be warned? You are a people guilty of excess." 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 any recompense from you and are rightly-guided. 21 Why should I not worship Him who brought me into being, to whom you will be brought back in the end? 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 Then truly I should be in error manifest. 24 Lo! I have believed in your Lord, so hear me! 25 (Having been murdered by the disbelievers) he was told to enter paradise 26 With what (munificence) my Lord hath pardoned me and made me of the honoured ones! 27 ۞ And We sent not against his people after him a host from heaven, nor do We send (such a thing). 28 It was only one Shout and they were silent, still. 29 Ah, the anguish for the bondmen! Never came there unto them a messenger but they did mock him! 30 Do they not consider how many of the generations have We destroyed before them, because they do not turn to them? 31 And surely, all, everyone of them will be brought before Us. 32