M. H. Shakir, The Holy Quran; Arabic Text and English Translation; Foot-notes by M. H. Shakir (1974)
173. Or you should say: Only our fathers associated others (with Allah) before, and we were an offspring after them: Wilt Thou then destroy us for what the vain-doers did?
174. And thus do We make clear the communications, and that haply they might return.
175. And recite to them the narrative of him* to whom We give Our communications, but he withdraws himself from them, so the Shaitan overtakes him, so he is of those who go astray.
176. And if We had pleased, We would certainly have exalted him thereby; but he clung to the earth and followed his low desire, so his parable is as the parable of the dog; if you attack him he lolls out his tongue; and if you leave him alone he lolls out his tongue; this is the parable of the people who reject Our communications; therefore relate the narrative that they may reflect.
177. Evil is the likeness of the people who reject Our communications and are unjust to their own souls.
178. Whomsoever Allah guides, he is the one who follows
* The person was Balaam, who had studied scriptures but because of his wife Balaam troubled Musa and joined the people of Firon.
