E. H. Palmer's Translation of the Quran: The Chapter of the 'Covered'

(LXXIV. Mecca.)

    IN the name of the merciful and compassionate God.

    O thou who art covered! rise up and warn!

    And thy Lord magnify!

    [5] And thy garments purify!

    And abomination shun!

    And grant not favours to gain increase!

    And for thy Lord await!

    And when the trump is blown,-for that day is a difficult day! [10] for the misbelievers aught but easy!

    Leave me alone with him I have created, and for whom I have made extensive wealth, and sons that he may look upon, and for whom I have smoothed things down. [15] Then he desires that I should increase! nay, verily, he is hostile to our signs! I will drive him up a hill! Then he reflected and planned! May he be killed,-how he planned! [20] Again, may he be killed,-how he planned! Then he looked; then he frowned and scowled; then he retreated and was big with pride and said, 'This is only magic exhibited! [25] this is only mortal speech!'-I will broil him in hell-fire! and what shall make thee know what hell-fire is? It will not leave and will not let alone. It scorches the flesh; [30] over it are nineteen (angels).

    We have made only angels guardians of the fire, and we have only made their number a trial to those who misbelieve; that those who have been given the Book may be certain, and that those who believe may be increased in faith; and that those who have been given the Book and the believers may not doubt; and that those in whose hearts is sickness, and the misbelievers may say, 'What does God mean by this as a parable?'

    Thus God leads astray whom He pleases, and guides him He pleases: and none knows the hosts of thy Lord save Himself; and it is only a reminder to mortals!

    [35] Nay, by the moon!

    And the night when it retires!

    And the morning when it brightly dawns!

    Verily, it is one of the greatest misfortunes; a warning to mortals; [40] for him amongst you who wishes to press forward or to tarry!

    Every soul is pledged for what it earns; except the fellows of the right: in gardens shall they ask each other about the sinners!-'What drove you into hell-fire?'

    They shall say, 'We weren't of those who prayed; [45] we didn't feed the poor; but we did plunge into discussion with those who plunged, and we called the judgment day a lie until the certainty did come to us!'

    But there shall not profit them the intercession of the intercessors.

    [50] What ailed them that they turned away from the memorial as though they were timid asses fleeing from a lion?

    Nay, every man of them wished that he might have given him books spread open!

    Nay, but they did not fear the hereafter!

    Nay, it is a memorial! and let him who will remember it; [55] but none will remember it except God please. He is most worthy of fear; and he is most worthy to forgive!

From: The Quran.  Translated by E. H. Palmer.  Sacred Books of the East, Vol. 9.  Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1880, 308-310.