[AND the tribe of] Ad gave the lie to [one of God's] message-bearers 123 When their brother Hud said to them, "Will you not fear Allah? 124 I have been sent as a trusted messenger to you. 125 so fear you God, and obey you me. 126 And I do not ask you for it any payment. My payment is only from the Lord of the worlds. 127 Build ye on every high place a monument for vain delight? 128 "And do you get for yourselves palaces (fine buildings) as if you will live therein for ever. 129 "And when ye exert your strong hand, do ye do it like men of absolute power? 130 "Be, then, conscious of God and pay heed unto me: 131 "Yea, fear Him Who has bestowed on you freely all that ye know. 132 "Freely has He bestowed on you cattle and sons,- 133 And gardens and springs. 134 Indeed, I fear for you the punishment of a terrible day." 135 They said, "Whether you preach to us or not, 136 This is but a fable of the men of old, 137 and we are not going to be chastised [for adhering to it]!" 138 So they belied him, so We destroyed them. Surely, in that there is a sign; yet most of them do not believe. 139 Surely your Lord is the Mighty One, the Merciful. 140