Recite to them, as a case in point, the story of the people of the town when the Messengers came to them. 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 "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 knows we are Envoys unto you; 16 Our duty is to convey the message clearly." 17 but they answered, "We see an evil omen in you. If you do not stop, we shall certainly stone you, and you will suffer a painful punishment at our hands." 18 (The messengers) said: "The augury is within your own selves. Do you (consider it a bad omen) that you should be warned? You are a people guilty of excess." 19 And there came from the uttermost part of the city a man running. He cried: O my people! Follow those who have been sent! 20 Follow those who ask no recompense of you and 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 other than Him [false] deities [while], if the Most Merciful intends for me some adversity, their intercession will not avail me at all, nor can they save me? 23 (Had I worshipped things besides God, I would have been in manifest error). 24 I believe in your Lord, so hear me' 25 It was said: enter thou the Garden. He said: would that my people knew. 26 That my Lord hath forgiven me, and hath made me of the honoured ones. 27 ۞ And We did not send down to his nation after him any army from heaven, neither would We send any down. 28 It was not but one shout, and immediately they were extinguished. 29 Ah, woe for those servants! Never comes unto them a Messenger, but they mock at him. 30 Have they not seen how many generations We destroyed before them, which will not return to them? 31 and [that] all of them, all together, will [in the end] before Us be arraigned? 32