(The nation of) Aad belied their Messengers. 123 when their brother Hood said to them, 'Will you not be godfearing? 124 Verily I am unto you an apostle trusted. 125 be, then, conscious of God, and pay heed unto me! 126 And I do not ask you any reward for it; surely my reward is only with the Lord of the worlds 127 "Will you, in your wanton folly, build [idolatrous] altars on every height, 128 and do you take to you castles, haply to dwell forever? 129 And when ye seize, ye seize like unto tyrants. 130 "Now fear Allah, and obey me. 131 Have fear of the One who has bestowed upon you all that you know. 132 Provided you with grazing livestock and children 133 gardens and fountains. 134 'Indeed, I fear for you the chastisement of a dreadful day.' 135 [But] they answered. "It is all one to us whether thou preachest [something new] or art not of those who [like to] preach. 136 This is not but the custom of the former peoples, 137 And we are not to be punished." 138 And they denied him; therefor We destroyed them. Lo! herein is indeed a portent, yet most of them are not believers. 139 And verily thy Lord is He, the Exalted in Might, Most Merciful. 140