Popular Translations
Muhammad Asad
nay, but [between them and thee] We brought into being [many] generations, and long was their span of life. And neither didst thou dwell among the people of Madyan, conveying Our messages unto them: nay, but We have [always] been sending [Our message-bearers unto man]
Arthur John Arberry
but We raised up generations, and long their lives continued. Neither wast thou a dweller among the Midianites, reciting to them Our signs; but We were sending Messengers
Yusuf Ali (Saudi Rev. 1985)
But We raised up (new) generations, and long were the ages that passed over them; but thou wast not a dweller among the people of Madyan, rehearsing Our Signs to them; but it is We Who send messengers (with inspiration)
Arabic
وَلَـٰكِنَّاۤ أَنشَأۡنَا قُرُونࣰا فَتَطَاوَلَ عَلَیۡهِمُ ٱلۡعُمُرُۚ وَمَا كُنتَ ثَاوِیࣰا فِیۤ أَهۡلِ مَدۡیَنَ تَتۡلُوا۟ عَلَیۡهِمۡ ءَایَـٰتِنَا وَلَـٰكِنَّا كُنَّا مُرۡسِلِینَ ٤٥
Transliteration (2021)
walākinnā anshanā qurūnan fataṭāwala ʿalayhimu l-ʿumuru wamā kunta thāwiyan fī ahli madyana tatlū ʿalayhim āyātinā walākinnā kunnā mur'silīn