AND [likewise,] indeed, We sent unto [the tribe of] Thamud their brother Salih [with this message]: "Worship God alone!" and behold, they were [split into] two factions contending with one another. 45 Said [Salih to the erring ones]: Why do you seek to hasten the coming upon you of evil instead of hoping for the good?" Why do you not, rather, ask God to forgive you your sins, so that you might be graced with His mercy?" 46 They said: "We augur ill of you and those who are with you." Salih replied: "Your augury is with Allah. The truth is that you are a people who are being tried." 47 Now there were in the city nine men who were wont to commit deeds of depravity all over the land, and would not reform; 48 They said: swear by God one to another that we shall surely fall upon him and his household by night and thereafter we shall surely say unto his heir; we witnessed not the destruction of his household, and verily we are truthtellers. 49 So they plotted a plot, and We planned a plan, while they perceived not. 50 Behold, then, what all their scheming came to in the end: We utterly destroyed them and their people, all of them; 51 So yonder are their houses overturned, for they did wrong. Verily, herein is a sign unto a people who know. 52 And We delivered those who believed and were wont to fear. 53 And (We sent) Lut, when he said to his people: What! do you commit indecency while you see? 54 Do you indeed approach men with desire instead of women? Rather, you are a people behaving ignorantly." 55 ۞ And the only answer of his people was that they said, 'Expel the folk of Lot from your city; they are men that keep themselves clean!' 56 But We saved him and his family, except his wife; her We destined to be of those who lagged behind. 57 And We rained on them a rain; and evil indeed is the rain of them that are warned. 58