We gave Moses the Book, and made his brother Aaron his minister, 35 and We said, "Go you both unto the people who have given the lie to Our messages!" - and thereupon We broke those [sinners] to smithereens. 36 And the people of Noah, when they cried lies to the Messengers, We drowned them, and made them to be a sign to mankind; and We have prepared for the evildoers a painful chastisement. 37 And the tribes of A’ad and the Thamud, and the people of the Wells, and many a generation between them. 38 Each (of them) We warned by examples, and each (of them) We brought to utter ruin. 39 And certainly they have (often) passed by the town on which was rained an evil rain; did they not then see it? Nay! they did not hope to be raised again. 40 Hence, whenever they consider thee, [O Muhammad,] they but make thee a target of their mockery, [saying:] "Is this the one whom God has sent as an apostle? 41 He had well-nigh led us astray from our gods had we not adhered to them patiently! And they will know, when they see the punishment, who is straying farther off from the path. 42 Have you seen him who takes his low desires for his god? Will you then be a protector over him? 43 Or thinkest thou that most of them listen or understand? They are only like cattle;- nay, they are worse astray in Path. 44