AND WHEN the messengers [of God] came to the house of Lot, 61 He said: Lo! ye are folk unknown (to me). 62 They replied, "We have come to you about the matter which the (unbelievers) have rejected. 63 We have come to thee with the truth, and assuredly we speak truly. 64 So set forth, thou with thy family, in a watch of the night, and follow after the backs of them, and let not any one of you turn round; and depart unto the place you are commanded.' 65 And We made known this decree to him, that the root of those (sinners) was to be cut off in the early morning. 66 The inhabitants of the city came in (mad) joy (at news of the young men). 67 He said: 'These are my guests; do not shame me. 68 "And do not disgrace me. Have some fear of God." 69 They replied, "Did we not forbid you to bring anyone to your house?" 70 [Lot] said: "[Take instead] these daughters of mine, if you must do [whatever you intend to do]!" 71 Verily by your life they were utterly confused in their (lustful) drunkenness. 72 Therefore the scream overcame them at sunrise. 73 And We turned (the towns of Sodom in Palestine) upside down and rained down on them stones of baked clay. 74 Surely in that are signs for such as mark; 75 This (city) lies on a road that still survives. 76 Verily, herein lies a message indeed for all who believe [in God]. 77 And the companions of the thicket were [also] wrongdoers. 78 So We exacted retribution from them. They were both on an open highway, plain to see. 79