Thamud denied the messengers 141 when their brother Salih said unto them: "Will you not be conscious of God? 142 Indeed, I am to you a trustworthy messenger. 143 be, then, conscious of God, and pay heed unto me! 144 And I ask of you no hire therefor; MY hire is but with the Lord of the worlds. 145 Will you be left in what is here, secure [from death], 146 In gardens and springs. 147 and cornfields, and palm-trees laden with fruit -- 148 And hew ye out houses in the mountains skilfully! 149 Therefore guard against (the punishment of) Allah and obey me; 150 and do not follow the biddings of those that go to excesses 151 and spread mischief in the land rather than set things right." 152 Said they: "Thou art but one of the bewitched! 153 You are naught but a mortal like ourselves; so bring a sign if you are one of the truthful. 154 He said: 'Here is a shecamel. She shall have her share of water as you have yours on an appointed day. 155 And do not touch her with evil, lest the punishment of a grievous day should overtake you. 156 But they hamstrung her, then regretted; 157 and torment struck them. In this there is evidence of the Truth, yet many people do not have any faith. 158 And most surely your Lord is the Mighty, the Merciful. 159