[AND the tribe of] Thamud gave the lie to [one of God's] message-hearers 141 Recall when their brother Salih said to them: "Have you no fear?" 142 "I am a trustworthy Messenger to you. 143 be, then, conscious of God, and pay heed unto me! 144 I do not ask for any payment for my preaching. I shall receive my reward from the Lord of the Universe. 145 Will you be left secure in what is here; 146 in the midst of gardens and fountains, 147 And corn-fields and palm-trees whereof the spathes are fine? 148 hewing out houses in the mountains and taking pride in your skill? 149 "Be, then, conscious of God, and pay heed unto me, 150 Do not obey the order of the wasteful, 151 Who spread corruption in the earth, and reform not. 152 They said: You are only of the deluded ones; 153 You are but a man like ourselves, so bring a sign, if you should be of the truthful." 154 He said: yonder is a she-camel; to her a drink, and to you a drink, each on a day known. 155 And do not touch her with harm, lest you be seized by the punishment of a terrible day." 156 Yet they hamstrung her, and in the morning they were remorseful, 157 The punishment therefore seized them; indeed in this is a sign; and most of them were not believers. 158 And lo! thy Lord! He is indeed the Mighty, the Merciful. 159