[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 godfearing? 124 “I am indeed a trustworthy Noble Messenger of Allah to you.” 125 So keep your duty to 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 build over each high place a sign to amuse yourselves! 128 and make for yourselves mighty castles, [hoping] that you might become immortal? 129 And when you strike, you strike as tyrants. 130 So fear Allah and obey me. 131 And fear Him Who hath aided you with that which ye know. 132 He has given you abundance of cattle and children 133 and with gardens and springs. 134 I am afraid that you will suffer the torment of the Day of Judgment." 135 [But] they answered. "It is all one to us whether thou preachest [something new] or art not of those who [like to] preach. 136 "This is no other than a customary device of the ancients, 137 and we shall not be punished." 138 So they belied him, and We destroyed them. Verily! In this is indeed a sign, yet most of them are not believers. 139 Surely your Lord is the Mighty One, the Merciful. 140