And propound thou unto them the similitude of the inhabitants of a town, when there came thereto the sent ones. 13 We sent to them two, but they belied them so We reinforced them with a third. They said: 'We have surely been sent as Messengers to you' 14 They replied, "You are nothing but mortal men like us and the Merciful God has not revealed anything. You are surely lying." 15 They said: our Lord knoweth that we are surely unto you the sent ones. 16 but we are not bound to do more than clearly deliver the message [entrusted to us]." 17 They said, "Indeed, we consider you a bad omen. If you do not desist, we will surely stone you, and there will surely touch you, from us, a painful punishment." 18 [The apostles] replied: "Your destiny, good or evil, is [bound up] with yourselves! [Does it seem evil to you] if you are told to take [the truth] to heart? Nay, but you are people who have wasted their own selves!" 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 ask no wage of you and are rightly guided. 21 "[As for me,] why should I not worship Him who has brought me into being, and to whom you all will be brought back? 22 "Shall I take (other) gods besides Him? If (Allah) Most Gracious should intend some adversity for me, of no use whatever will be their intercession for me, nor can they deliver me. 23 Surely in that case I should indeed be in evident error. 24 Verily I believe now in your Lord; so hearken unto me. 25 It was said, "Enter Paradise." He said, "I wish my people could know 26 With what (munificence) my Lord hath pardoned me and made me of the honoured ones! 27 ۞ And We sent not down against his People, after him, any hosts from heaven, nor was it needful for Us so to do. 28 It was no more than a single mighty Blast, and behold! they were (like ashes) quenched and silent. 29 And it was said, “Woe to those bondmen – whenever a Noble Messenger comes to them, they mock at him!” 30 Do they not see how many generations We have destroyed before them? Never shall they return to them. 31 And surely all, every one of them, shall be brought before Us. 32