Edward Palmer, The Qur’ân (1880)
than the good; examples have passed away before them: but thy Lord is possessor of forgiveness unto men, notwithstanding their injustice; but, verily, thy Lord is keen to punish.
Those who misbelieve say, ‘Unless a sign be sent down upon him from his Lord … .’ — Thou art only a warner, and every people has its guide.
God knows what each female bears, and what the wombs fall short of or add; for dimensions of everything are with Him.
[10] He who knows the unseen and the visible, — the great, the lofty one.
Alike among you is he who keeps secret his speech and he who displays it; and he who hides by night and he who stalks abroad by day. Each of them has pursuers 1 before him and behind him, to keep guard over him at the command of God; verily, God changes not what a people has until they change it for themselves. And when God wishes evil to a people there is no averting it, nor have they a protector beside Him.
He it is who shows you the lightning for fear and hope 2; and He brings up the heavy clouds.
And the thunder celebrates His praise, and the angels too for fear of Him; and He sends the thunder-clap and overtakes therewith whom He will; — yet they wrangle about God! But He is strong in might.
[15] On Him is the call of truth, and those who call on others than Him shall not be answered at all,
1 Guardian angels.
2 I.e. hope of rain; lightning is always hailed with joy by the Arabs as a precursor of rain.
