And he had recited it to them, they had not believed.

In such sort have we influenced¹⁹ the heart of the wicked ones,

That they will not believe it till they see the grievous chastisement?

And it shall come upon them on a sudden when they look not for it:

And they will say, “Can we be respited?”

What! will they seek to hasten on our chastisement?

How thinkest thou? If after we have given them their fill for years,

That with which they are menaced come upon them at last,

Of what avail will their enjoyments be to them?

We never destroyed a city which had not first its warners

With admonition; nor did we deal unjustly.

The Satans were not sent down with this Koran:

It beseemed them not, and they had not the power,

For they are far removed from hearing it.²⁰

Call not thou on any other god but God, lest thou be of those consigned to torment:

But warn thy relatives of nearer kin,²¹

And kindly lower thy wing over the faithful who follow thee.

And if they disobey thee, then say: “I will not be answerable for your doings;”—

And put thy trust in Him that is the Mighty, the Merciful,

Who seeth thee when thou standest in prayer,

And thy demeanour amongst those who worship;

For He heareth, knoweth all.

Shall I tell you on whom Satan descend?

They descend on every lying, wicked person:

They impart what they have heard;²²—but most of them are liars.

It is the POETS²³ whom the erring follow:

Seest thou not how they rove distraught in every valley?

And that they say that which they do not?

Save those who believe and do good works, and oft remember God;