[AND the tribe of] Thamud gave the lie to [one of God's] message-hearers 141 Their brother Salih said to them: 'Will you not be cautious? 142 I have been sent as a trusted messenger to you. 143 be, then, conscious of God, and pay heed unto me! 144 'I ask of you no wage for this; my wage falls only upon the Lord of all Being. 145 "Will ye be left secure, in (the enjoyment of) all that ye have here? 146 amidst the gardens, springs, 147 farms, and palm-trees in thick groves, 148 And hew ye out houses in the mountains skilfully! 149 So fear Allah and obey me. 150 And do not obey the bidding of the extravagant, 151 Who make mischief in the land and do not act aright. 152 They replied, "Surely you are bewitched. 153 Thou art nothing but a mortal like ourselves! Come, then, forward with a token [of thy mission] if thou art a man of truth!" 154 He said, 'This is a she-camel; to her a draught and to you a draught, on a day appointed, 155 and do not touch her with malice so that there seize you the chastisement of a dreadful day.' 156 But they hamstrung her, then regretted; 157 The punishment therefore seized them; indeed in this is a sign; and most of them were not believers. 158 Yet verily your Lord is mighty and merciful. 159