Narrate to them the example of the people of the city when the messengers came to it. 13 When We sent to them two Messengers, they belied them both, so We reinforced them with a third, and they said: "Verily! We have been sent to you as Messengers." 14 The people of the town said: “You are only human beings like ourselves, and the Merciful Lord has revealed nothing. You are simply lying.” 15 They said, "Our Lord knows that we are messengers to you, 16 And on us is naught but manifest preaching. 17 They said: verily we augur ill of you; if ye desist not, we shall surely stone you, and there will befall you from us a torment afflictive. 18 [The apostles] replied: "Your destiny, good or evil, is [bound up] with yourselves! [Does it seem evil to you] if you are told to take [the truth] to heart? Nay, but you are people who have wasted their own selves!" 19 A man came running from the farthest part of the city saying, "My people, follow the Messengers. 20 Follow those who ask no reward of you, and themselves are rightly guided! 21 “And what is the matter with me that I should not worship Him Who created me, whereas it is towards Him that you are to return?” 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 I believe in your Lord, so listen to me." 25 It was said (to him when the disbelievers killed him): "Enter Paradise." He said: "Would that my people knew! 26 that my Lord has forgiven me and that He has placed me among the honoured.' 27 ۞ After him, We did not send down any hosts from the heaven; We stood in no need to send down any host. 28 There was just one blast, and they were extinguished. 29 Alas for mankind! There never came a Messenger to them but they used to mock at him. 30 Do they not see how many of the generations We have destroyed before them? Verily, they will not return to them. 31 And without exception, all of them will be brought forth before Us. 32