And present to them an example: the people of the city, when the messengers came to it - 13 When We sent them two messengers, they rejected them both, so We strengthened them with a third. They said, "Truly, we have been sent to you [by God] as messengers." 14 They replied, "You are nothing but mortal men like us and the Merciful God has not revealed anything. You are surely lying." 15 They answered, “Our Lord knows that surely, without doubt, we have been sent towards you.” 16 "And our duty is only to proclaim the clear Message." 17 They (the people of the city) said, “We think you are ominous; indeed, if you do not desist, we shall surely stone you to death, and you will surely face a grievous torture at our hands.” 18 They said: 'Your prediction is with you, if you are reminded. Surely, you are but a wayward nation' 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 ask of you no fee, and who are rightly guided. 21 For what cause should I not serve Him Who hath created me, and unto Whom ye will be brought back? 22 Shall I take others besides Him as gods? If the Gracious God should intend me any harm, their intercession will be of no avail, nor can they deliver me. 23 Surely in that case I should be in manifest error. 24 Indeed, I have believed in your Lord, so listen to me." 25 We said to him, "Enter paradise," and he exclaimed: "Would that my people knew 26 “The manner in which my Lord has pardoned me and 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 only a single blast which made them extinct. 29 Ah the misery of the bondmen! there cometh not unto them an apostle, but him they have been mocking. 30 Have they not seen how many nations before them did We destroy? Thereafter they never came back to them. 31 and [that] all of them, all together, will [in the end] before Us be arraigned? 32