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.

How many generations have We destroyed after Noah? and enough is thy Lord to note and see the sins of His servants.

(Pharaoh) said: "What then is the condition of previous generations?"

Is it not a warning to such men (to call to mind) how many generations before them We destroyed, in whose haunts they (now) move? Verily, in this are Signs for men endued with understanding.

He said: "This has been given to me because of a certain knowledge which I have." Did he not know that Allah had destroyed, before him, (whole) generations,- which were superior to him in strength and greater in the amount (of riches) they had collected? but the wicked are not called (immediately) to account for their sins.

Does it not teach them a lesson, how many generations We destroyed before them, in whose dwellings they (now) go to and fro? Verily in that are Signs: Do they not then listen?

See they not how many generations before them we destroyed? Not to them will they return:

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。

在努哈之后，我毁灭了若干世代。你的主对于其仆人的罪行，足为彻知者和明察者。

他说：“以往各世纪的情况是怎样的？”

难道他们不知道吗？在他们之前，我曾毁灭了许多世代， 他们常和那些人的故乡往来，对于有理智者，此中确有许多迹象。

他说：“我获得这项财富，只是因为我有特殊的知识罢了。”难道他不知道吗？在他之前，真主所毁灭的各世代的恶人，有比他能力更强、积蓄更多的。犯罪的人，是不必加以审问的。

难道他们还不晓得吗？在他们之前，我曾毁灭了许多世代，他们常常经过那些人的故乡，在那里确有许多迹象。他们怎么不听从呢？

难道他们不知道吗？在他们之前，我曾毁灭了许多世代，那些被毁灭的世代永不转回尘世。