Give to them a parable; to the people of the village there came Messengers, 13 When We sent two of them they called them liars; so We sent a third to strengthen them. "We have been sent to you," they said. 14 The people said, "You are mere mortals like us and the Beneficent God has sent nothing. You are only liars." 15 They said: our Lord knoweth that we are surely unto you the sent ones. 16 "And our duty is only to proclaim the clear Message." 17 (The people of the city) said: We augur ill of you. If ye desist not, we shall surely stone you, and grievous torture will befall you at our hands. 18 They said, 'Your augury is with you; if you are reminded? But you are a prodigal people.' 19 Then a man came running from the other side of the city. "O my people," he said, "follow the messengers. 20 follow those who do not ask any recompense from you and are rightly-guided. 21 "Why should I not worship God who has created me? To him you will all return. 22 Shall I take (other) gods in place of Him when, if the Beneficent should wish me any harm, their intercession will avail me naught, nor can they save? 23 In that case I should indeed be in manifest error. 24 Verily! I have believed in your Lord, so listen to me!" 25 It was said (to him): 'Enter Paradise' and he said: 'Would that my people knew 26 That my Lord hath forgiven me, and hath 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 one Shout and they were silent, still. 29 Alas for My servants! Never does a Messenger come to them but they mock him. 30 Behold they not how many We have destroyed before them of the generations! verily unto them they shall not return. 31 All of them, gathered together, will certainly be brought before Us. 32