be believers. 140 And, verily, thy Lord is mighty, merciful.
Thamûd called the apostles liars ; when their brother Zâliʿh said to them, ‘ Do ye not fear ? verily, I am to you a faithful apostle ; so fear God and obey me. 145 I do not ask you for it any hire ; my hire is only with the Lord of the worlds. Shall ye be left here in safety with gardens and springs, and corn-fields and palms, the spathes whereof are fine ? and ye hew out of the mountains houses skilfully. 150 But fear God and obey me; and obey not the bidding of the extravagant, who do evil in the earth and do not act aright !’
They said, ‘ Thou art only of the infatuated ; thou art but mortal like ourselves ; so bring us a sign, if thou be of those who speak the truth !’ 155 He said, ‘ This she-camel shall have her drink and you your drink on a certain day; but touch her not with evil, or there will seize you the torment of a mighty day !’ But they hamstrung her, and on the morrow they repented; and the torment seized them; verily, in that is a sign ; but most of them will never be believers : but verily, thy Lord He is mighty, merciful.
160 The people of Lot called the apostles liars ; when their brother Lot said to them, ‘ Do ye not fear ? verily, I am to you a faithful apostle ; then fear God and obey me. I do not ask you for it any hire ; my hire is only with the Lord of the worlds. 165 Do ye approach males of all the world arid leave what God your Lord has created for you of your wives ? nay, but ye are people who transgress !’
