We destroyed before them many generations (who likewise willfully persisted in unbelief and opposition). (In the end) they called out for help but only when it was too late for the punishment (they had earned) to be canceled
How many generations have We destroyed before them? When their doom approached, they all cried out for mercy, but it was no longer the time to be saved
Dr. Munir Munshey
Many generations have We destroyed prior to them. (In the end) they all cried out and pleaded (to be saved); but then it is too late to escape
Dr. Kamal Omar
How many a generation We have destroyed before them, so they called out (to Us) and it was not a time for a place of escape
How many a nation did We destroy before them! (When they approached their doom) they cried out (for deliverance), but the time for deliverance was already past
Ali Bakhtiari Nejad
How many of a generation did We destroy before them, and they called out (for help) and it was too late to escape
How many a generation We destroyed before them, then they cried when there was no longer time for escape
Muhammad Ahmed - Samira
How many from (a) people of one era/generation We destroyed from before them? So they called: "And it is not the time, time for escape (expression) ."
(Do they not see that) We have destroyed so many generations before them? (They did not care to listen to the warning at first) then (later) they cried (for help) but the time for escape had passed
How many a community We have destroyed before them! And they started crying (on seeing the torment) when there was no time left for deliverance (and release)
How many a generation We have destroyed before them while they called out in agony! But it was not possible for them to escape!
Sayyed Abbas Sadr-Ameli
How many a generation We destroyed before them, then they cried, but time was none to escape.
Al-muntakhab fi tafsir al-Qur'an al-Karim
How many generations who came to this world before them did We justly reduce to a useless form! In their distress they cried for mercy and help but that was not the time for either, it was too late