And put forward to them a similitude; the (story of the) dwellers of the town, [It is said that the town was Antioch (Antakiya)], when there came Messengers to them. 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 "You are only men like us," they replied; "Ar-Rahman has not sent down any thing. You are speaking only lies." 15 (The messengers) said: "Our Lord knows that we have been sent to you. 16 And on us is naught but manifest preaching. 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 [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 do not ask for any recompense of 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 beside Him gods when, if the Compassionate should intend me any harm, their intercession will avail me not at all, nor would they save me? 23 In that case I should indeed be in manifest error. 24 Verily I believe now in your Lord; so hearken unto me. 25 It was said to him, “Enter Paradise”; he said, “If only my people knew!” 26 "That my Lord (Allah) has forgiven me, and made me of the honoured ones!" 27 ۞ We did not send an army against his people from the heaven after his death nor did We need to send one. 28 It was only one Cry and lo, they were silent and still. 29 Ah! Alas for (My) Servants! There comes not a messenger to them but they mock him! 30 What, have they not seen how many generations We have destroyed before them, and that it is not unto them that they return? 31 All of them shall (one day) be gathered before Us. 32