The Thamud gave the lie to the Messengers. 141 When their brother Salih said unto them: fear ye not? 142 Behold, I am an apostle [sent by Him] to you, [and therefore] worthy of your trust: 143 So fear God and follow me. 144 “And I do not ask from you any fee for it; my reward is only upon the Lord Of The Creation.” 145 "Will ye be left secure, in (the enjoyment of) all that ye have here? 146 amidst gardens and springs 147 And fields of crops and palm trees with softened fruit? 148 And you hew houses out of the mountains exultingly; 149 Therefore guard against (the punishment of) Allah and obey me; 150 and pay no heed to the counsel of those who are given to excesses 151 and spread mischief in the land rather than set things right." 152 They replied: 'Surely, you are one of those bewitched. 153 "You are but a human being like us. Then bring us a sign if you are of the truthful." 154 (Saleh) said: "Here is a she-camel. She has a right of drinking water, and you have a right of drinking it on appointed turns. 155 and do not touch her with malice so that there seize you the chastisement of a dreadful day.' 156 But they hamstrung her and so became regretful. 157 So the chastisement seized them. Surely there is a Sign in this, but most of them would not believe. 158 And indeed your Lord – only He is the Almighty, the Most Merciful. 159