The 'Ad (people) rejected the messengers. 123 When their brother Hud said to them: "Will you not take heed? 124 I am for you a faithful Messenger, 125 be, then, conscious of God, and pay heed unto me! 126 I do not ask for any payment for my preaching. I shall receive my reward from the Lord of the Universe. 127 “What! You build a structure on every height, to laugh at the passers-by?” 128 And take ye for yourselves castles that haply ye may abide. 129 And whenever you apply force become tyrannical. 130 "Be, then, conscious of God and pay heed unto me: 131 And be careful of (your duty to) Him Who has given you abundance of what you know. 132 "He has aided you with cattle and children. 133 And orchards and springs. 134 indeed, I fear for you the torment of an awful day." 135 They replied, "It makes no difference to us whether you preach or do not preach, 136 this is nothing but a habit of the ancients: 137 And we are not to be punished." 138 So they rejected him; and We destroyed them. There is certainly a sign in that; but most of them would not believe. 139 And most surely your Lord is the Mighty, the Merciful. 140