The 'Ad (people) rejected the messengers. 123 Recall, when their brother Hud said to them: "Have you no fear? 124 I am for you an honest Messenger. 125 So fear Allah and obey me. 126 I do not ask for any payment for my preaching. I shall receive my reward from the Lord of the Universe. 127 "Will you, in your wanton folly, build [idolatrous] altars on every height, 128 and do you take to you castles, haply to dwell forever? 129 And when you lay hands (on men) you lay hands (like) tyrants; 130 "So fear Allah, keep your duty to Him, and obey me. 131 And fear He who provided you with that which you know, 132 "Freely has He bestowed on you cattle and sons,- 133 gardens, and springs. 134 I fear the punishment of a terrible day for you. 135 They said: "It is the same to us if you warn us or do not warn. 136 "This is no other than a customary device of the ancients, 137 and we shall not be chastised.' 138 Then they accused him of lies; so We annihilated them. Verily there is a sign in this, but most of them do not believe. 139 And lo! thy Lord, He is indeed the Mighty, the Merciful. 140