Thamud denied the messengers 141 Their brother Salih asked them, "Why do you not fear God? 142 Behold, I am an apostle [sent by Him] to you, [and therefore] worthy of your trust: 143 "So fear Allah, keep your duty to Him, and obey me. 144 I ask of you no reward. My reward is with none but the Lord of the Universe. 145 "Do you think that you will be left secure [forever] in the midst of what you have here and now? 146 amidst gardens and springs 147 and cornfields and date-palms laden with juicy fruits? 148 "And ye carve houses out of (rocky) mountains with great skill. 149 So fear you God, and obey you me; 150 Do not obey the order of the wasteful, 151 Who work corruption in the land and rectify not. 152 They said: Thou art but one of the bewitched; 153 Thou art but a human being like unto us. So bring thou a sign if thou art of the truth-tellers. 154 He said, "This is a she-camel. For her is a [time of] drink, and for you is a [time of] drink, [each] on a known day. 155 and do not touch her with malice so that there seize you the chastisement of a dreadful day.' 156 But they ham-strung her: then did they become full of regrets. 157 so the punishment came down upon them. Surely in that there is a sign, but most of them would not believe. 158 Your Lord is the Mighty One, the Merciful. 159