[AND the tribe of] Ad gave the lie to [one of God's] message-bearers 123 When their brother Hood said to them: 'Will you not be cautious? 124 Indeed, I am to you a trustworthy messenger. 125 Have fear of God and obey me. 126 And I do not ask you any reward for it; surely my reward is only with the Lord of the worlds 127 Do you build over each high place a sign to amuse yourselves! 128 And take ye for yourselves castles that haply ye may abide. 129 When you attack, you attack as tyrants do. 130 So fear God, and obey me; 131 Fear Him who has bestowed on you what you know, 132 He has bestowed on you cattle, and sons, 133 And gardens and springs. 134 indeed, I fear for you the torment of an awful day." 135 They said, 'Alike it is to us, whether thou admonishest, or art not one of the admonishers; 136 This is not but the custom of the former peoples, 137 and we are not going to be chastised [for adhering to it]!" 138 So they rejected him; and We destroyed them. There is certainly a sign in that; but most of them would not believe. 139 And verily thy Lord? He is the Mighty, the Merciful. 140