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 He said, 'O my people, why do you seek to hasten evil before good? Why do you not ask forgiveness of God? Haply so you will find mercy.' 46 They answered: "We augur evil from thee and those that follow thee!" Said he: "Your destiny, good or evil, rests with God; yea, you are people undergoing a test!" 47 Now there were nine ring-leaders in the city who created corruption in the land and never worked to set things right. 48 They said: swear by God one to another that we shall surely fall upon him and his household by night and thereafter we shall surely say unto his heir; we witnessed not the destruction of his household, and verily we are truthtellers. 49 And they devised a device, and We likewise devised a device, while they were not aware; 50 And behold the consequences of their devising! We destroyed them, and their nation altogether. 51 Now behold their houses that lie in utter ruins because of their wrong-doing. Verily there is a Sign in this for the people who know. 52 And We saved those who believed and were cautious. 53 And [mention] Lot, when he said to his people, "Do you commit immorality while you are seeing? 54 Would ye go in lustfully unto men instead of women? Aye! ye are a people addicted to ignorant ways. 55 ۞ Yet the only answer of his nation was that they said: 'Expel the family of Lot from your village, they are people who purified themselves' 56 But We saved him and his family, except his wife; her We destined to be of those who lagged behind. 57 And We showered a rain upon them; so what a wretched rain for those who were warned! 58