Tell them the story of the people of the town to whom Messengers came. 13 When We (first) sent to them two messengers, they rejected them: But We strengthened them with a third: they said, "Truly, we have been sent on a mission 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 The Messengers said: "Our Lord knows that we have been sent as Messengers to you, 16 And we are not responsible except for clear notification." 17 The people of the town said: “We believe you are an evil omen for us. If you do not desist, we will stone you or you will receive a grievous chastisement from us.” 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 And from the remote part of the city there came a man running, he said: O my people! follow the apostles; 20 Follow those who do not ask for any recompense of you, and are rightly guided. 21 And what aileth me that I should not worship Him who hath created me, and unto whom ye shall 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 “Undoubtedly, I am then in open error.” 24 I believe in your Lord, so listen to me." 25 (But they stoned him to death.) It was said to him: "Enter Paradise;" and he said: "If only my people knew 26 That my Lord hath forgiven me, and hath made me of 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 Shout, and lo! they were extinct. 29 How regretful for the servants. There did not come to them any messenger except that they used to ridicule 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 indeed, all of them will yet be brought present before Us. 32