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: ye are but human beings like ourselves; the Compassionate hath not sent down aught; ye are only lying. 15 Said [the apostles]: "Our Sustainer knows that we have indeed been sent unto you; 16 and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.” 17 The (people) said: "for us, we augur an evil omen from you: if ye desist not, we will certainly stone you. And a grievous punishment indeed will be inflicted on you by 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 Then there came running, from the farthest part of the City, a man, saying, "O my people! Obey the messengers: 20 Follow those who do not ask you for any reward and who are rightly guided. 21 "Why should I not worship Him who has brought me into being, and to whom you shall all be recalled? 22 Shall I take beside Him gods when, if the Compassionate should intend me any harm, their intercession will avail me not at all, nor would they save me? 23 In that case I would surely be in clear error. 24 "Verily, [O my people,] in the Sustainer of you all have I come to believe: listen, then, to me!" 25 It was said (to him): 'Enter Paradise' and he said: 'Would that my people knew 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 only a single blast which made them extinct. 29 Ah! Alas for (My) Servants! There comes not a messenger to them but they mock him! 30 Have they not seen how many generations We destroyed before them, which will not return to them? 31 They shall every one of them be arraigned before Us. 32