[AND the tribe of] Ad gave the lie to [one of God's] message-bearers 123 when their brother Hud said unto them: "Will you not be conscious of God? 124 I have been sent as a trusted messenger to you. 125 be, then, conscious of God, and pay heed unto me! 126 And I do not ask you for it any payment. My payment is only from the Lord of the worlds. 127 "Do you build high palaces on every high place, while you do not live in them? 128 and make for yourselves mighty castles, [hoping] that you might become immortal? 129 And when you strike, you strike as tyrants. 130 So be fearful of God and follow me. 131 Keep your duty toward Him Who hath aided you with (the good things) that ye know, 132 “He aided you with cattle and sons.” 133 gardens and fountains. 134 Lo! I fear for you the retribution of an awful day. 135 They replied: 'It is the same to us whether you admonish or whether you are not one of the admonishers. 136 This [religion of ours] is none other than that to which our forebears clung, 137 and we shall not be punished." 138 And they belied him; so We destroyed them. Verily herein is a sign, yet most of them are not believers. 139 Yet surely your Lord is mighty and merciful. 140