Give to them a parable; to the people of the village there came Messengers, 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 They said, 'You are naught but mortals like us; the All-merciful has not sent down anything. You are speaking only lies.' 15 They said: Our Lord knows that we are most surely apostles to you. 16 “And our duty is nothing but to plainly convey (the message).” 17 They said, 'We augur ill of you. If you give not over, we will stone you and there shall visit you from us a painful chastisement.' 18 They said, "Your evil augury be with you! Is it because you are admonished about the truth? Surely, you are a people transgressing all bounds!" 19 Then a man came running from the other side of the city. "O my people," he said, "follow the messengers. 20 Follow such as ask no wage of you, that are right-guided. 21 Why should I not worship Him who brought me into being, to whom you will be brought back in the end? 22 What! shall I take besides Him gods whose intercession, If the Beneficent Allah should desire to afflict me with a harm, shall not avail me aught, nor shall they be able to deliver me? 23 "I would indeed, if I were to do so, be in manifest Error. 24 Messengers, listen to me. I believe in your Lord." 25 It was said: enter thou the Garden. 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 ۞ We did not send down any army against his people from heaven, nor did We have to send one. 28 There was but a single Blast and suddenly they became silent and still. 29 Ah! Alas for (My) Servants! There comes not a messenger to them but they mock him! 30 Have they not seen how many generations have We destroyed before them who will not return again? 31 And indeed, all of them will yet be brought present before Us. 32