The Ad gave the lie to the Messengers. 123 When their brother Hud said to them: "Will you not take heed? 124 Behold, I am an apostle [sent by Him] to you, [and therefore] worthy of your trust: 125 So fear Allah and obey me. 126 I ask no recompense of you; my reward is only with the Lord of the Universe. 127 Build ye on every eminence a landmark in vanity? 128 Erect palaces (thinking) that you will live for ever, 129 And will you [always,] whenever you lay hand [on others,] lay hand [on them] cruelly, without any restraint? 130 So guard against (the punishment of) Allah and obey me 131 "Yea, fear Him Who has bestowed on you freely all that ye know. 132 He has given you abundance of cattle and children 133 And gardens and springs. 134 Lo! I fear for you the retribution of an awful day. 135 They said: "It is the same to us if you warn us or do not warn. 136 This is but a fable of the men of old, 137 We will not be subjected to any chastisement." 138 And they denied him, so We destroyed them. Indeed in that is a sign, but most of them were not to be believers. 139 And verily thy Lord is He, the Exalted in Might, Most Merciful. 140