And present to them an example: the people of the city, when the messengers came to it - 13 When We sent to them two but they denied them, so We strengthened them with a third, and they said, "Indeed, we are messengers to you." 14 They (people of the town) said: "You are only human beings like ourselves, and the Most Beneficent (Allah) has revealed nothing, you are only telling lies." 15 They said: "Our Lord doth know that we have been sent on a mission to you: 16 who have been sent to you. Our only duty is to preach clearly to you". 17 They (people) said: "For us, we see an evil omen from you, if you cease not, we will surely stone you, and a painful torment will touch you from us." 18 The Messengers said, "This ill omen lies within yourselves. Will you then take heed? In fact, you are a transgressing people." 19 A man came running from the farthest part of the city saying, "My people, follow the Messengers. 20 Follow those who do not ask of you [any] payment, and they are [rightly] guided. 21 Why should I not worship Him who brought me into being, to whom you will be brought back in the end? 22 Should I take to worshipping [other] deities beside Him? [But then,] if the Most Gracious should will that harm befall me, their intercession could not in the least avail me, nor could they save me: 23 “Undoubtedly, I am then in open 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 when the disbelievers killed him): "Enter Paradise." He said: "Would that my people knew! 26 how my Sustainer has forgiven me [the sins of my past,] and has placed me among 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 not but one shout, and immediately they were extinguished. 29 How regretful for the servants. There did not come to them any messenger except that they used to ridicule him. 30 Are they not aware of how many a generation We have destroyed before their time, [and] that those [that have perished] will never return to them, 31 All of them shall (one day) be gathered before Us. 32