The people of 'Ad accused the messengers of lies. 123 When their brother Hud said unto them: Will ye not ward off (evil)? 124 I have been sent as a trusted messenger to you. 125 So fear God and listen to me. 126 I do not ask for any payment for my preaching. I shall receive my reward from the Lord of the Universe. 127 "Will you, in your wanton folly, build [idolatrous] altars on every height, 128 And do you take to yourselves underground reservoirs, in order to live for ever! 129 “And when you apprehend someone, you seize him mercilessly?” 130 "Be, then, conscious of God and pay heed unto me: 131 And fear He who provided you with that which you know, 132 Gave you increase of cattle and sons, 133 and gardens, and springs -- 134 "Truly I fear for you the Penalty of a Great Day." 135 They said, "Whether you preach to us or not, 136 That 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 Surely your Lord is the Mighty One, the Merciful. 140