:13. Set forth to them, by way of a parable, the (story of) the Companions of the City. Behold!, there came messengers to it.
:14. When We (first) sent to them two messengers, they rejected them: But We strengthened them with a third: they said, "Truly, we have been sent on a mission to you."
:15. The (people) said: "Ye are only men like ourselves; and (Allah) Most Gracious sends no sort of revelation: ye do nothing but lie."
:16. They said: "Our Lord doth know that we have been sent on a mission to you:
:17. "And our duty is only to proclaim the clear Message."
:18. The (people) said: "for us, we augur an evil omen from you: if ye desist not, we will certainly stone you. And a grievous punishment indeed will be inflicted on you by us."
:19. They said: "Your evil omens are with yourselves: (deem ye this an evil omen). If ye are admonished? Nay, but ye are a people transgressing all bounds!"
:20. Then there came running, from the farthest part of the City, a man, saying, "O my people! Obey the messengers:
:21. "Obey those who ask no reward of you (for themselves), and who have themselves received Guidance.
:22. "It would not be reasonable in me if I did not serve Him Who created me, and to Whom ye shall (all) be brought back.
:23. "Shall I take (other) gods besides Him? If (Allah) Most Gracious should intend some adversity for me, of no use whatever will be their intercession for me, nor can they deliver me.
:24. "I would indeed, if I were to do so, be in manifest Error.
:25. "For me, I have faith in the Lord of you (all): listen, then, to me!"
:26. It was said: "Enter thou the Garden." He said: "Ah me! Would that my People knew (what I know)!-
:27. "For that my Lord has granted me Forgiveness and has enrolled me among those held in honour!"
