You did indeed long for death (for God’s cause) before you came face to face with it; now you have faced it (on the battlefield), only observing it with your own eyes (without doing anything to meet it)
You certainly wished to die (for the cause of God) before you actually faced death. Then you faced death (in the battlefield and only a few of you had the true desire to die)
You used to long for death in the Cause of Allah before you faced it. Now you have faced it, right before your eyes. You understand that honorable life in this world belongs to those who have conquered the fear of death, and that death is the gateway to the Eternal life
Ye did indeed wish for death before ye met him: Now ye have seen it with your own eyes, (and ye flinch!)
Dr. Munir Munshey
You had certainly wished to die (for His cause) before you (actually) came face-to-face with death (on the battlefield). Now you have seen it up close with your own eyes
Dr. Kamal Omar
You were indeed longing for death before you faced it. So, without doubt you have seen it and you are awaiting (for orders instead of tahead of state initiative)
You had certainly wished for martyrdom without having to encounter death. Now you see it, but you keep looking on!
Sayyed Abbas Sadr-Ameli
And really you were longing for death before you met it (the holy struggle) ; but (now that) you have seen it, you look (at it) !
Al-muntakhab fi tafsir al-Qur'an al-Karim
Before the encounter with death, you had always wished yourselves dead in the cause of Allah, and now that you have seen it executed in your companions, you falter and let go; you quit your posts and seek much after booty