[AND the tribe of] Ad gave the lie to [one of God's] message-bearers 123 When their brother Hood said to them: 'Will you not be cautious? 124 Indeed, I am to you a trustworthy messenger. 125 "So fear Allah and obey me. 126 For this I ask of you no wage, for my wage falls only on the Lord of the Worlds. 127 Do you construct on every elevation a sign, amusing yourselves, 128 And you make strong fortresses that perhaps you may 129 And when ye seize, ye seize like unto tyrants. 130 So guard against (the punishment of) Allah and obey me 131 Keep your duty toward Him Who hath aided you with (the good things) that ye know, 132 Provided you with grazing livestock and children 133 gardens and fountains. 134 Indeed, I fear for you the punishment of a dreadful Day' 135 They said, 'Alike it is to us, whether thou admonishest, or art not one of the admonishers; 136 this is nothing but a habit of the ancients: 137 "And we are not the ones to receive Pains and Penalties!" 138 So they belied him, and We destroyed them. Verily! In this is indeed a sign, yet most of them are not believers. 139 And lo! thy Lord, He is indeed the Mighty, the Merciful. 140