To Thamud We sent their brother Salih. He said, "Serve none but God." But they divided themselves into two factions contending with one another. 45 Said [Salih to the erring ones]: Why do you seek to hasten the coming upon you of evil instead of hoping for the good?" Why do you not, rather, ask God to forgive you your sins, so that you might be graced with His mercy?" 46 They said, "We consider you a bad omen, you and those with you." He said, "Your omen is with Allah. Rather, you are a people being tested." 47 Now in the city there were nine persons who did corruption in the land, and put not things right; 48 they said, 'Swear you, one to another, by God, "We will attack him and his family by night, then we will tell his protector, We were not witnesses of the destruction of his family; and assuredly we are truthful men."' 49 So they devised a scheme, and We made our secret plan, and they remained neglectful. 50 Behold, then, what all their scheming came to in the end: We utterly destroyed them and their people, all of them; 51 So those are their houses fallen down because they were unjust, most surely there is a sign in this for a people who know. 52 And We delivered those who believed and were godfearing. 53 (Remember) Lot, when he said to his people: "Why do you indulge in obscenities when you know (it is evil)? 54 "Do you approach men in your lusts rather than women? Nay, but you are a people who behave senselessly." 55 ۞ But the answer of his folk was naught save that they said: Expel the household of Lot from your township, for they (forsooth) are folk who would keep clean! 56 Thereupon We saved him and his household - all but his wife, whom We willed to be among those that stayed behind 57 And We rained on them a rain, and evil was the rain of those who had been warned. 58