[AND the tribe of] Ad gave the lie to [one of God's] message-bearers 123 When their brother Hud said unto them: Will ye not ward off (evil)? 124 Indeed, I am to you a trustworthy messenger. 125 Therefore guard against (the punishment of) Allah and obey me: 126 For this I ask of you no wage, for my wage falls only on the Lord of the Worlds. 127 Do you build over each high place a sign to amuse yourselves! 128 “And prefer strong palaces, that perhaps you may live for ever?” 129 When you attack, you attack as tyrants do. 130 So fear Allah, and obey me. 131 And fear Him Who hath aided you with that which ye know. 132 Who has provided you with flocks and children 133 "And Gardens and Springs. 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 is nothing but a habit of the ancients: 137 And we are not going to be tormented. 138 So they rejected him, and We destroyed them. Verily in this is a Sign: but most of them do not believe. 139 And indeed your Lord – only He is the Almighty, the Most Merciful. 140