AND SET FORTH unto them a parable - [the story of how] the people of a township [behaved] when [Our] message-bearers came unto them. 13 When We sent to them two Messengers, they belied them both, so We reinforced them with a third, and they said: "Verily! We have been sent to you as Messengers." 14 "You are only men like us," they replied; "Ar-Rahman has not sent down any thing. You are speaking only lies." 15 They said: "Our Lord doth know that we have been sent on a mission to you: 16 And nothing devolves on us but a clear deliverance (of the message). 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 prediction is with you, if you are reminded. Surely, you are but a wayward nation' 19 And from the outermost part of the city came a man running; he said, “O my people! Obey those who have been sent.” 20 Follow those who ask not of you any hire, and who are rightly guided. 21 Why should I not serve the One Who created me and to Whom all of you shall be sent back? 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 and so, behold, I would have indeed, most obviously, lost myself in error! 24 Verily I believe now in your Lord; so hearken unto me. 25 It was said (to him): 'Enter Paradise' and he said: 'Would that my people knew 26 “The manner in which my Lord has pardoned me and made me of 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 just one scream, and with it they were extinguished. 29 Woe, for those (unbelieving) worshipers! They mocked every Messenger that came to them. 30 Have they not seen how many generations, living before them, had We destroyed and they cannot ever come back to them? 31 But all, without exception, will be brought before Us. 32