Tell them the story of the people of the town to whom Messengers came. 13 We sent them two Messengers whom they rejected. We supported them by sending a third one who told the people, "We are the Messengers (of God) who have been sent to you". 14 [The others] answered: "You are nothing but mortal men like ourselves; moreover, the Most Gracious has never bestowed aught [of revelation] from on high. You do nothing but lie!" 15 They said: our Lord knoweth that we are surely unto you the sent ones. 16 "And our duty is only to convey plainly (the Message)." 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 They said: your evil augury be with you. Call ye it an ill-luck because ye are admonished! Aye! ye are a people extravagant. 19 Then a man came running from the other side of the city. "O my people," he said, "follow the messengers. 20 "Obey those who ask no wages of you (for themselves), and who 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 Should I worship other gods besides Him? If the Beneficent God was to afflict me with hardship, the intercession of the idols can be of no benefit to me nor could it rescue me from hardship. 23 Indeed, I would then be in manifest error. 24 "For me, I have faith in the Lord of you (all): listen, then, to me!" 25 It was said: Enter the garden. He said: O would that my people had known 26 how my Lord has forgiven me and placed me among the honoured ones!" 27 ۞ And after that, no host out of heaven did We send down against his people, nor did We need to send down any: 28 It was not but one shout, and immediately they were extinguished. 29 Alas for the servants! there comes not to them an apostle but they mock at him. 30 Have they not considered how many generations We destroyed before them - that they to them will not return? 31 They will all be brought into Our presence together. 32