(The nation of) Aad belied their Messengers. 123 Their brother Hud asked them, "Why do you not have fear of God? 124 I am a trustworthy messenger for you: 125 Therefore guard against (the punishment of) Allah and obey me: 126 I do not ask for any payment for my preaching. I shall receive my reward from the Lord of the Universe. 127 "Do ye build a landmark on every high place to amuse yourselves? 128 and make for yourselves mighty castles, [hoping] that you might become immortal? 129 “And when you apprehend someone, you seize him mercilessly?” 130 "So fear Allah, keep your duty to Him, and obey me. 131 "Yea, fear Him Who has bestowed on you freely all that ye know. 132 "He has aided you with cattle and children. 133 And gardens and fountains; 134 I fear for you the chastisement of an Awesome Day." 135 They said: "It is the same to us whether thou admonish us or be not among (our) admonishers! 136 That is nothing but a habit of the ancients, 137 and we shall not be punished." 138 So they cried him lies; then We destroyed them. Surely in that is a sign, yet most of them are not believers. 139 And verily thy Lord is He, the Exalted in Might, Most Merciful. 140