Tell them the story of the people of the town to whom Messengers came. 13 when We sent unto them two men, but they cried them lies, so We sent a third as reinforcement. They said, 'We are assuredly Envoys unto you. 14 They said: ye are but human beings like ourselves; the Compassionate hath not sent down aught; ye are only lying. 15 Said [the apostles]: "Our Sustainer knows that we have indeed been sent unto you; 16 and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the 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, from the furthest part of the city, a man came running. He said, "My people, follow the messengers. 20 Follow those who ask no recompense of you and are rightly guided. 21 For what cause should I not serve Him Who hath created me, and unto Whom ye will be brought back? 22 What, shall I take, apart from Him, gods whose intercession, if the All-merciful desires affliction for me, shall not avail me anything, and who will never deliver me? 23 "Then verily, I should be in plain error. 24 "Verily, [O my people,] in the Sustainer of you all have I come to believe: listen, then, to me!" 25 We said to him, "Enter paradise," and he exclaimed: "Would that my people knew 26 “The manner in which my Lord has pardoned me and made me of the honoured ones!” 27 ۞ After him We did not send down against his people a host from heaven, nor do We send down such hosts: 28 nothing was [needed] but one single blast [of Our punishment] - and lo! they became as still and silent as ashes. 29 How regretful for the servants. There did not come to them any messenger except that they used to ridicule 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 And surely all, every one of them, shall be brought before Us. 32