Why were there not, among the generations before you, persons possessed of balanced good sense, prohibiting (men) from mischief in the earth - except a few among them whom We saved (from harm)? But the wrong-doers pursued the enjoyment of the good things of life which were given them, and persisted in sin.

在你们之前逝去的各世代中，有德者为何不禁止众人在地方上作恶？但他们中我所拯救的少数人除外。不义的人们追随他们所享受的豪华生活。他们是犯罪的人。