[AND the tribe of] Ad gave the lie to [one of God's] message-bearers 123 When their brother Hood said to them: 'Will you not be cautious? 124 Behold, I am an apostle [sent by Him] to you, [and therefore] worthy of your trust: 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 you construct on every elevation a sign, amusing yourselves, 128 and raise strong mansions as if you were to live forever? 129 “And when you apprehend someone, you seize him mercilessly?” 130 "Be, then, conscious of God and pay heed unto me: 131 fear Him who has aided you with all that you know -- 132 "Freely has He bestowed on you cattle and sons,- 133 And gardens and fountains; 134 “Indeed I fear upon you the punishment of a Great Day.” 135 They said, 'Alike it is to us, whether thou admonishest, or art not one of the admonishers; 136 This is naught but a custom 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 Verily your Lord is Immensely Mighty, Most Compassionate. 140