'Ad (people) belied the Messengers. 123 When their brother Hud said to them: "Will you not take heed? 124 Behold, I am an apostle [sent by Him] to you, [and therefore] worthy of your trust: 125 Therefore guard against (the punishment of) 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 on every height a monument? Vain is it that you do: 128 Erect palaces (thinking) that you will live for ever, 129 And when you strike, you strike as tyrants. 130 So fear you God, and obey you me; 131 fear Him who has aided you with all that you know -- 132 Hath aided you with cattle and sons. 133 gardens and fountains. 134 indeed, I fear for you the torment of an awful day." 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 nothing but a habit of the ancients: 137 and we are not going to be chastised [for adhering to it]!" 138 In response they denied him – We therefore destroyed them; indeed in this is a sign; and most of them were not believers. 139 And lo! thy Lord, He is indeed the Mighty, the Merciful. 140