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Muhammad Asad   
GOD will not take you to task for oaths which you may have uttered without thought, but He will take you to task for oaths which you have sworn in earnest. Thus, the breaking of an oath must be atoned for by feeding ten needy persons with more or less the same food as you are wont to give to your own families, or by clothing them, or by freeing a human being from bondage; and he who has not the wherewithal shall fast for three days [instead]. This shall be the atonement for your oaths whenever you have sworn [and broken them]. But be mindful of your oaths!' Thus God makes clear unto you His messages, so that you might have cause to be grateful
The Clear Quran, Dr. Mustafa Khattab   
Allah will not call you to account for your thoughtless oaths, but He will hold you accountable for deliberate oaths. The penalty for a broken oath is to feed ten poor people from what you normally feed your own family, or to clothe them, or to free a bondsperson. But if none of this is affordable, then you must fast three days. This is the penalty for breaking your oaths. So be mindful of your oaths. This is how Allah makes things clear to you, so perhaps you will be grateful.
Safi Kaskas   
God does not hold you accountable for oaths thoughtlessly sworn, but He will take you to task for earnestly sworn oaths. So, the breaking of an oath must be atoned by feeding ten needy persons with the same food as you would want for your own family, or by clothing them, or by freeing a slave, and if a person cannot find the means to do this, he will fast for three days. This will be the atonement for your oaths whenever you have sworn [and broken them]. Be careful with your oaths. God makes His messages clear to you, so that you may be grateful.

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Source Arabic and Literal tools
Arabic   
لَا یُؤَاخِذُكُمُ ٱللَّهُ بِٱللَّغۡوِ فِیۤ أَیۡمَـٰنِكُمۡ وَلَـٰكِن یُؤَاخِذُكُم بِمَا عَقَّدتُّمُ ٱلۡأَیۡمَـٰنَۖ فَكَفَّـٰرَتُهُۥۤ إِطۡعَامُ عَشَرَةِ مَسَـٰكِینَ مِنۡ أَوۡسَطِ مَا تُطۡعِمُونَ أَهۡلِیكُمۡ أَوۡ كِسۡوَتُهُمۡ أَوۡ تَحۡرِیرُ رَقَبَةࣲۖ فَمَن لَّمۡ یَجِدۡ فَصِیَامُ ثَلَـٰثَةِ أَیَّامࣲۚ ذَ ٰلِكَ كَفَّـٰرَةُ أَیۡمَـٰنِكُمۡ إِذَا حَلَفۡتُمۡۚ وَٱحۡفَظُوۤا۟ أَیۡمَـٰنَكُمۡۚ كَذَ ٰلِكَ یُبَیِّنُ ٱللَّهُ لَكُمۡ ءَایَـٰتِهِۦ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تَشۡكُرُونَ ۝٨٩
Transliteration (2021)   
lā yuākhidhukumu l-lahu bil-laghwi fī aymānikum walākin yuākhidhukum bimā ʿaqqadttumu l-aymāna fakaffāratuhu iṭ'ʿāmu ʿasharati masākīna min awsaṭi mā tuṭ'ʿimūna ahlīkum aw kis'watuhum aw taḥrīru raqabatin faman lam yajid faṣiyāmu thalāthati ayyāmin dhālika kaffāratu aymānikum idhā ḥalaftum wa-iḥ'faẓū aymānakum kadhālika yubayyinu l-lahu lakum āyātihi laʿallakum tashkurūn
Word for Word
Dr. Shehnaz Shaikh, Ms. Kauser Katri, and more
  
not will call you to account Allah for the thoughtless utterances in your oaths but He will call you to account for what you contracted (of) the oath. So its expiation (is) feeding (of) ten needy people of average (of) what you feed your families or clothing them or freeing a slave. But whoever (does) not find (that), then fasting (for) three days. That (is the) expiation (of) your oaths when you have sworn. And guard your oaths. Thus makes clear Allah to you His Verses so that you may (be) grateful.

Generally Accepted Translations of the Meaning
Muhammad Asad   
GOD will not take you to task for oaths which you may have uttered without thought, but He will take you to task for oaths which you have sworn in earnest. Thus, the breaking of an oath must be atoned for by feeding ten needy persons with more or less the same food as you are wont to give to your own families, or by clothing them, or by freeing a human being from bondage; and he who has not the wherewithal shall fast for three days [instead]. This shall be the atonement for your oaths whenever you have sworn [and broken them]. But be mindful of your oaths!' Thus God makes clear unto you His messages, so that you might have cause to be grateful
M. M. Pickthall   
Allah will not take you to task for that which is unintentional in your oaths, but He will take you to task for the oaths which ye swear in earnest. The expiation thereof is the feeding of ten of the needy with the average of that wherewith ye feed your own folk, or the clothing of them, or the liberation of a slave, and for him who findeth not (the wherewithal to do so) then a three days' fast. This is the expiation of your oaths when ye have sworn; and keep your oaths. Thus Allah expoundeth unto you His revelations in order that ye may give thanks
Yusuf Ali (Saudi Rev. 1985)   
Allah will not call you to account for what is futile in your oaths, but He will call you to account for your deliberate oaths: for expiation, feed ten indigent persons, on a scale of the average for the food of your families; or clothe them; or give a slave his freedom. If that is beyond your means, fast for three days. That is the expiation for the oaths ye have sworn. But keep to your oaths. Thus doth Allah make clear to you His signs, that ye may be grateful
The Clear Quran, Dr. Mustafa Khattab   
Allah will not call you to account for your thoughtless oaths, but He will hold you accountable for deliberate oaths. The penalty for a broken oath is to feed ten poor people from what you normally feed your own family, or to clothe them, or to free a bondsperson. But if none of this is affordable, then you must fast three days. This is the penalty for breaking your oaths. So be mindful of your oaths. This is how Allah makes things clear to you, so perhaps you will be grateful.
Safi Kaskas   
God does not hold you accountable for oaths thoughtlessly sworn, but He will take you to task for earnestly sworn oaths. So, the breaking of an oath must be atoned by feeding ten needy persons with the same food as you would want for your own family, or by clothing them, or by freeing a slave, and if a person cannot find the means to do this, he will fast for three days. This will be the atonement for your oaths whenever you have sworn [and broken them]. Be careful with your oaths. God makes His messages clear to you, so that you may be grateful.
Wahiduddin Khan   
God will not call you to account for your meaningless oaths, but He will call you to account for the oaths, which you swear in earnest. The expiation for a broken oath is the feeding of ten needy men with such food as you normally offer to your own people; or the clothing of ten needy men; or the freeing of one slave. Anyone who lacks the means shall fast for three days. That is the expiation of your breaking the oaths that you have sworn. Do keep your oaths. Thus God explains to you His commandments, so that you may be grateful
Shakir   
Allah does not call you to account for what is vain in your oaths, but He calls you to account for the making of deliberate oaths; so its expiation is the feeding of ten poor men out of the middling (food) you feed your families with, or their clothing, or the freeing of a neck; but whosoever cannot find (means) then fasting for three days; this is the expiation of your oaths when you swear; and guard your oaths. Thus does Allah make clear to you His communications, that you may be Fateful
Dr. Laleh Bakhtiar   
God will not take you to task for what is idle talk in your oaths, but He will take you to task for oaths you made as an agreement. Then, its expiation is the feeding of ten needy people of the average of what you feed your own people or clothing them or letting go of a bondsperson. But whoever finds not the means, then, formal fasting for three days. That is the expiation for your oaths when you swore them. And keep your oaths safe. Thus, God makes manifest His signs to you so that perhaps you will give thanks.
T.B.Irving   
God will not take you to task for what you may rattle off in your oaths, but He does take you to task for anything you have sworn to solemnly [and then ignored]. Exoneration for it means feeding ten paupers with the average of what you would feed your own families, or clothing them, or freeing a captive. Whoever does not find the wherewithal [to do so], should fast for three days. This is what penance involves in order to free yourselves from any oath you have sworn [loosely]. Keep your word; thus God explains His signs to you, so you may act grateful.
Abdul Hye   
Allah will not call you to account for unintentional things in your oaths. But He will call you to account for earnestly sworn in oaths. The penalty (for a broken oath) is feeding 10 needy people of average of what you feed your families; or clothing them; or freeing a captive. But whoever can not afford, then fasting for 3 days. That is expiation of your oaths when you have sworn. But keep your oaths. Thus Allah makes clear to you His Verses so that you may give thanks.
The Study Quran   
God will not take you to task for that which is frivolous in your oaths, but He will take you to task for the oaths you have pledged in earnest. The expiation thereof is the feeding of ten indigent people with the equivalent of that which you feed your own family, or clothing them, or freeing a slave. And whosoever finds not [the means], let him fast for three days. That is the expiation for your oaths when you have sworn [them]. But keep your oaths. Thus does God make clear unto you His signs, that haply you may give thanks
Talal Itani & AI (2024)   
God won’t hold you accountable for your irrelevant oaths, but He will for those you make intentionally. The atonement for them is to feed ten needy people with the average of what you feed your own families, clothe them, or liberate a captive. Those who can’t afford this should fast for three days. This is the atonement for your sworn oaths. So, fulfill your promises. In this way, God clarifies His revelations to you, so that you may give thanks.
Talal Itani (2012)   
God does not hold you accountable for your unintended oaths, but He holds you accountable for your binding oaths. The atonement for it is by feeding ten needy people from the average of what you feed your families, or by clothing them, or by freeing a slave. Anyone who lacks the means shall fast for three days. That is the atonement for breaking your oaths when you have sworn them. So keep your oaths. Thus God makes clear His Revelations to you, that you may be grateful
Dr. Kamal Omar   
Allah will not make you accountable for (what is) unintentional in your oaths, but He will make you accountable what you committed deliberate (in your) oaths. (If you break such an oath) then its expiation (would be) feeding ten poor persons out of the average what you feed your own family-members; or providing them garments; or (drafting) a document for (providing freedom to) one (human) neck (which is in slavery). But whosoever does not find (himself in a position to pay such an expiation) then (he shall keep) fasts for three days. This is the expiation for your oaths when you have sworn. But it shall be better if you protect your oaths (provided they are not undesirable). Thus Allah explains to you His Ayaat so that you may be grateful
M. Farook Malik   
Allah will not call you to account for what is inadvertent in your oaths. But He will hold you accountable for that which you solemnly swear. The penalty for a broken oath is to feed ten indigent persons with such food as you normally provide to your own family, or to clothe ten needy people, or to free one slave. The one who cannot afford any of these must fast three days. This is the expiation for breaking your oaths. Therefore, be mindful of your oaths. Thus Allah makes clear to you His revelations that you may be thankful
Muhammad Mahmoud Ghali   
Allah does not take you to task for an idleness in your oaths, but He takes you to task for whatever contracts you have made by oaths. So the expiation thereof is the feeding of ten indigent persons with the average of that wherewith you feed your own families; or their raiment; or the freeing of a neck. (i.e., a slave) Yet, for him who does not find the (means), then (the expiation is) the fasting for three days. That is the expiation of your oaths when you have sworn; and keep your oaths. Thus Allah makes evident to you His signs, that possibly you would thank (Him)
Muhammad Sarwar   
God will not hold you responsible for your thoughtless oaths. However, He will question you about your deliberate oaths. The expiation for breaking an oath is to feed ten needy people with food, typical of that which you feed to your own people, to clothe them or to set a slave free. One who cannot pay this, he must fast for three days to expiate his oaths. Keep your oaths. Thus, does God explain His Laws so that you will give Him thanks
Muhammad Taqi Usmani   
Allah does not hold you accountable for your laghw (ineffectual) oaths, but He does hold you accountable for the oath with which you have bound yourself. Its expiation is to feed ten poor persons at an average of what you feed your family with, or to clothe them, or to free a slave. However, if someone cannot afford, he has to fast for three days. That is expiation for the oaths that you have sworn. Take care of your oaths. That is how Allah makes His signs clear to you, so that you may be grateful
Shabbir Ahmed   
Allah will not call you to account for vain utterances of your oaths. He will hold you accountable for your deliberate and intentional oaths. If you violate such oaths, that would be a transgression against your 'Self'. The expiation for that if you have violated an oath is: Feeding ten needy persons of what is standard for your own family, or clothing them. Or, freeing one human being from bondage, whether it is slavery, extreme poverty, heavy debt, or oppression. If you do not have the means to do so, then observe Abstinence for three days, as in Ramadan. This is the expiation of your intentional oaths. But be mindful of your oaths. Allah explains His Messages, so that you might have cause to be grateful
Dr. Munir Munshey   
Allah will not hold you responsible for whatever is not meant or deliberate in your oaths. But He will take you to task for whatever you swear to and pledge in earnest. The penalty for that, (breaking your pledge), consists of either the feeding of ten poor people with the food you would give your own family on an average (day), or providing them with clothing; or the freeing of a slave. The one who cannot afford any of that, may observe fasts for three days. That is the atonement for breaching your sworn pledges. So observe and abide by your oaths. Thus, Allah makes His message manifest for you, so you would be grateful
Syed Vickar Ahamed   
Allah will not ask you to account for what is unintentional in your oath; But He will ask you to account for your deliberate oath: To make up (in such cases), feed ten needy persons, on a scale of the average food of your families; Or clothe them; Or give a slave his freedom. If that is beyond your means, fast for three days. That is to make up (or compensate) for the oath you have sworn. But keep to your oath, like this Allah does make clear to you His Signs, that you may be thankful
Umm Muhammad (Sahih International)   
Allah will not impose blame upon you for what is meaningless in your oaths, but He will impose blame upon you for [breaking] what you intended of oaths. So its expiation is the feeding of ten needy people from the average of that which you feed your [own] families or clothing them or the freeing of a slave. But whoever cannot find [or afford it] - then a fast of three days [is required]. That is the expiation for oaths when you have sworn. But guard your oaths. Thus does Allah make clear to you His verses that you may be grateful
[The Monotheist Group] (2011 Edition)   
God will not hold you for your unintentional oaths, but He will hold you for what oaths you have made binding; its cancellation shall be the feeding of ten poor from the average of what you feed your family, or that you clothe them, or that you free a slave; whoever cannot find shall fast for three days; this is a cancellation for making your oaths when you swear. And be careful from making oaths. It is such that God clarifies for you His revelations that you may be thankful
Abdel Haleem   
God does not take you [to task] for what is thoughtless in your oaths, only for your binding oaths: the atonement for breaking an oath is to feed ten poor people with food equivalent to what you would normally give your own families, or to clothe them, or to set free a slave- if a person cannot find the means, he should fast for three days. This is the atonement for breaking your oaths- keep your oaths. In this way God makes clear His revelations to you, so that you may be thankful
Abdul Majid Daryabadi   
Allah shall not take you to task for the vain in your oaths; but he shall take you to task for that which your oaths make binding. The expiation thereof is the feeding of ten of the needy with the middle sort of that wherewith ye feed your households, or the clothing of them or the freeing of a neck; but whosoever cannot find, far him is a fasting of three days. That is the expiation of your oaths when ye have sworn and bear in mind your oaths. Thus doth Allah expound unto you His commandments, that haply ye may return thanks
Ahmed Ali   
God does not punish you but for what you swear in earnest. The expiation (for breaking an oath) is feeding ten persons who are poor, with food that you give your own families, or clothing them, or freeing a slave. But he who cannot do so should fast for three days. This is the expiation for an oath when you have sworn it. So abide by your oaths. Thus God makes His commandments clear to you: You may perhaps be grateful
Aisha Bewley   
Allah does not take you to task for your inadvertent oaths, but He will take you to task for oaths you make intentionally. The expiation in that case is to feed ten poor people with the average amount you feed your family, or clothe them, or free a slave. Anyone without the means to do so should fast three days. That is the expiation for breaking oaths when you have sworn them. Keep your oaths. In this way Allah makes His Signs clear to you, so that hopefully you will be thankful.
Ali Ünal   
God does not take you to task for a slip (or blunder of speech) in your oaths, but He takes you to task for what you have concluded by solemn, deliberate oaths. The expiation (for breaking such oaths) is to feed ten destitute persons (or one person for ten days) with the average of the food you serve to your families, or to clothe them, or to set free a slave. If anyone does not find (the means to do that), let him fast for three days. That is the expiation for your oaths when you have sworn (and broken them). But be mindful of your oaths (do not make them lightly, and when you have sworn them, fulfill them). Thus God makes clear to you His Revelations (the lights of His way), that you may give thanks (from the heart and in speech, and in action by fulfilling His commandments)
Ali Quli Qara'i   
Allah shall not take you to task for what is frivolous in your oaths; but He shall take you to task for what you pledge in earnest. The atonement for it is to feed ten needy persons with the average food you give to your families, or their clothing, or the freeing of a slave. He who cannot afford [any of these] shall fast for three days. That is the atonement for your oaths when you vow. But keep your oaths. Thus does Allah clarify His signs for you so that you may give thanks
Hamid S. Aziz   
Allah will not take you to task for the unintentional (or futile) word in your oaths (or promises), but He will take you task for oaths you swear in earnest. The expiation thereof is to feed ten poor men with the average food you feed your families with,
Ali Bakhtiari Nejad   
God does not hold you responsible for your useless oaths, but He holds you responsible for your binding oaths. Then its atonement is to feed ten needy with the average of what you feed your family or to clothe them or to free a slave, and anyone who does not find then he should fast for three days. That is atonement for your oaths that you swore. And keep your oaths. That is how God clarifies His signs for you so you may be thankful.
A.L. Bilal Muhammad et al (2018)   
God will not call you to account for your casual promises, but He will call you to account for your contractual obligations. For atonement, feed ten indigent people on a scale of the average for your families, or clothe them, or free a slave. If that is beyond your means, fast for three days, that redeems the promises you have made. But keep your promises. God makes clear to you His signs so that you may be grateful
Musharraf Hussain   
Allah won’t take you to task over oaths you make thoughtlessly, however, He will take you to task over any contracts that you seal with solemn oaths. The atonement for the breaking of oaths is: feed ten needy people the same food as you would typically feed your family; clothe them, or free a slave. Whoever hasn’t the means to do this should fast for three days. That is the atonement for breaking oaths that you have sworn, so keep your oaths. This is how Allah explains His verses so that you might be grateful
Maududi   
Allah does not take you to task for the oaths you utter vainly, but He will certainly take you to task for the oaths you have sworn in earnest. The expiation (for breaking such oaths) is either to feed ten needy persons with more or less the same food as you are wont to give to your families, or to clothe them, or to set free from bondage the neck of one man; and he who does not find the means shall fast for three days. This shall be the expiation for your oaths whenever you have sworn (and broken them.) But do keep your oaths. Thus does Allah make clear to you His commandments; maybe you will be grateful
[The Monotheist Group] (2013 Edition)   
God will not hold you for your casual oaths, but He will hold you for what oaths you have made binding; its cancellation shall be the feeding of ten poor from the average of what you feed your family, or that you clothe them, or that you free a slave; whoever cannot find such shall fast for three days; this is a cancellation for making your oaths when you swear. And be careful from making oaths. It is such that God clarifies for you His revelations that you may be thankful
Mohammad Shafi   
Allah does not call you to account for anything trivial in your oaths, but He calls you to account for the binding terms of your oaths. The expiation of it, then, is the feeding of ten poor persons with the average food you feed your families with, or their clothing, or the freeing of a neck. And for the one, who cannot afford, three days of fasting. This is the expiation of your oaths when you take them. And guard your oaths! Thus Allah does make clear to you His Verses, so that you may feel grateful

Controversial or status undetermined works
Ahmed Raza Khan (Barelvi)   
Allah holds not you responsible for oaths taken by misunderstanding, but He holds you responsible for oaths which you made binding then the expiation of such oaths is the feeding of ten needy people with average food with which you feed your family members, or clothing them or the freeing of a slave then whoso finds not anything of these, then for him is the fasting of three days. This is the expiation of your oaths when you have sworn. And guard your oaths. Similarly Allah explains His signs to you so that you may be grateful.
Rashad Khalifa   
GOD does not hold you responsible for the mere utterance of oaths; He holds you responsible for your actual intentions. If you violate an oath, you shall atone by feeding ten poor people from the same food you offer to your own family, or clothing them, or by freeing a slave. If you cannot afford this, then you shall fast three days. This is the atonement for violating the oaths that you swore to keep. You shall fulfill your oaths. GOD thus explains His revelations to you, that you may be appreciative.
Hasan Al-Fatih Qaribullah   
Allah will not take you to account for a slip in your oaths. But He will take you to account for the oaths which you solemnly swear. Its expiation is the feeding of ten needy (people) with such food as you normally offer to your own people; or the clothing of them; or the freeing of a slave. He who does not have must fast three days. That is the expiation of your oaths when you have sworn; but keep your oaths. Allah makes plain to you His verses, in order that you are thankful
Maulana Muhammad Ali   
Allah will not call you to account for that which is vain in your oaths, but He will call you to account for the making of deliberate oaths; so its expiation is the feeding of ten poor men with the average (food) you feed your families with, or their clothing, or the freeing of a neck. But whoso finds not (means) should fast for three days. This is the expiation of your oaths when you swear. And keep your oaths. Thus does Allah make clear to you his messages that you may give thanks
Muhammad Ahmed & Samira   
God does not punish you with the nonsense/useless talk in your oaths, and but He punishes you with what you intended (in) the oaths, so its cover/substitution (is) feeding ten poorest of poor/poor oppressed from middle (average of) what you feed your families , or their dressing/clothing, or feeding/liberating a neck/person/slave, so who does not find, so fasting three days, that (is) cover/substitution (for) your oaths, if you swore/took oath, and guard your oaths, like that God clarifies to you His verses/evidences, maybe you thank/be grateful
Bijan Moeinian   
God does not hold you responsible for “unintentional” oaths [such as swearing that you will not eat such and such lawful food, not sleep anymore with your wives, etc.] The Lord, however, will hold you responsible for your “intentional” oaths [such as swearing by God that you will do such and such thing for such and such person.] If you break a solemn oath, you have to feed ten poor person with the same food that you eat usually, to give them clothes or (if you cannot afford none of the above) three days of fasting. These hardships are imposed upon you so that you take your oaths seriously. God thus makes His Commandments plain to you so that you may show gratitude [for having laws for every situation and know what your responsibilities are.]
Faridul Haque   
Allah does not take you to task for oaths which are made unintentionally but He does take you to task for oaths which you ratify; so the redemption of such oaths is to provide food to ten needy persons equal to the average of what you feed your family, or to clothe them, or to free one slave; and for one who has no means, is the fasting for three days; this is the redemption of your oaths when you have sworn; and fulfil your oaths; this is how Allah explains His verses to you, so that you may be thankful
Sher Ali   
ALLAH will not take you to task for such of your oaths as are vain, but HE will take you to task for breaking the oaths which you take in earnest. The expiation thereof, then, is the feeding of ten poor persons with such average food as you feed your families with, or the clothing of them or the freeing of a slave. But whoso finds not the means shall fast for three days. That is the expiation of your oaths when you have sworn. And keep your oaths. Thus does ALLAH explain to you HIS Signs that you may be grateful
Dr. Mohammad Tahir-ul-Qadri   
Allah does not persecute you for your purposeless (and frivolous) oaths, but takes you to task for your (solemn) oaths which you affirm (deliberately). (If you breach such oaths) the atonement is feeding ten poor persons with an average (quality) food which you serve to your family, or providing them (the poor) with the clothes, or freeing one neck (i.e., a slave). But the one who does not find (all this) shall fast for three days. This is the atonement for your oaths which you affirm (and then break). So, always guard your oaths. It is this way Allah explains most clearly His Revelations to you so that you may become grateful (by obeying His commandments)
Amatul Rahman Omar   
Allah will not call you to account for (such of) your oaths as are vain, but He will call you to account for (breaking) the oaths which you take in earnest (for doing a thing or not doing). The expiation for breaking such an oath is the feeding of ten needy persons (the average food) as you feed your own families with, or provide them with clothes, or liberating of some one (from the yoke of slavery or debt etc.) But whoever does not find (the means to do any of these), then he shall fast for three days. That is how you expiate your oaths when you have sworn them solemnly (and then break them). But do guard your oaths. Thus does Allah explain to you His commandments so that you may give (Him) thanks
Muhsin Khan & Muhammad al-Hilali   
Allah will not punish you for what is uninentional in your oaths, but He will punish you for your deliberate oaths; for its expiation (a deliberate oath) feed ten Masakin (poor persons), on a scale of the average of that with which you feed your own families; or clothe them; or manumit a slave. But whosoever cannot afford (that), then he should fast for three days. That is the expiation for the oaths when you have sworn. And protect your oaths (i.e. do not swear much). Thus Allah make clear to you His Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) that you may be grateful

Non-Muslim and/or Orientalist works
Arthur John Arberry   
God will not take you to task for a slip in your oaths; but He will take you to task for such bonds as you have made by oaths, whereof the expiation is to feed ten poor persons with the average of the food you serve to your families, or to clothe them, or to set free a slave; or if any finds not the means, let him fast for three days. That is the expiation of your oaths when you have sworn; but keep your oaths. So God makes clear to you His signs; haply you will be thankful
George Sale   
God will not take you to task for such of your oaths as are vain, but He will take you to task for breaking the oaths which you take in earnest. The expiation thereof, then, is the feeding of ten poor persons with such average food as you feed your families with, or the clothing of them or the freeing of a slave. But whoso finds not the means shall fast for three days. That is the expiation of your oaths when you have sworn. And keep your oaths. Thus does God explain to you His Signs that you may be grateful
Edward Henry Palmer   
God will not catch you up for a casual word in your oaths, but He will catch you up for having what ye make deliberate oaths about; and the expiation thereof is to feed ten poor men with the middling food ye feed your families withal, or to clothe them, or to free a neck; but he who has not the means, then let him fast three days. That is the expiation of your oaths, when ye have sworn to keep your oaths; thus does God explain to you His signs, - haply ye may be grateful
John Medows Rodwell   
God will not punish you for a mistaken word in your oaths: but he will punish you in regard to an oath taken seriously. Its expiation shall be to feed ten poor persons with such middling food as ye feed your own families with, or to clothe them; or to set free a captive. But he who cannot find means, shall fast three days. This is the expiation of your oaths when ye shall have sworn. Keep then your oaths. Thus God maketh his signs clear to you, that ye may give thanks
N J Dawood (2014)   
God will not take you to task for that which is inadvertent in your oaths. But He will take you to task over the oaths which you solemnly swear. The penance for a broken oath shall be the feeding of ten needy men with such food as you normally offer to your own people; or fitting them out with clothes; or the freeing of a slave. He that cannot afford any of these shall fast three days. In this way you shall atone for your broken oaths. Therefore be true to that which you have sworn. Thus God manifests to you His revelations, so that you may give thanks

New, Partial, or In Progress Translations
Fode Drame   
Allah does not take you to task for idleness in your oaths but He takes you to task for the oaths that you solemnly pronounce. Therefore its expiation is feeding ten needy ones from the staple diet which you feed your own families or clothing them or freeing a bondsman. But whoever does not find [the means] then let him fast three days. That is expiation of your oaths when you swear and do take care of your oaths. Thus Allah makes clear for you His signs so that you may offer gratitude.
Munir Mezyed   
Allâh will not call you to account for that which is unintentional in your oaths, but He will call you to account for breaking the oaths which you take in earnest. The atonement thereof, then, is the feeding of ten poor persons with such average food as you feed your own families with, or the clothing of them or the freeing of a slave. But whosoever does not finds the means will have to Fast for three days. This is the atonement of your oaths when you have sworn. Keep your oaths! This is how Allâh shows you clearly his Messages so that you may be grateful.
Sahib Mustaqim Bleher   
Allah does not hold you to account for unintentionally spoken oaths, but He holds you to account for oaths you have confirmed, and the compensation (for not keeping them) is to feed ten poor people from the average of what you feed your families or to clothe them or to free a slave, and who does not find (the means), then fasting for three days, that is the compensation for your oaths once you have sworn them, so keep your oaths, this is how Allah explains to you His signs so that you may be grateful.
Linda “iLHam” Barto   
Allah will not hold you accountable for unintentional slips in your oaths. He will hold you accountable for deliberate oaths. [If you break such an oath,] you must atone by feeding ten needy persons with what you would feed your own families on the average; or, you may clothe them; or, you may free a slave. Anyone who cannot do any of these should fast for three days. This will be the atonement for any sworn oaths. Be careful of oaths! Thus, Allah clarifies His verses so you may be grateful.
Fadel Soliman, Bridges‘ Translation   
Allah does not hold youpl accountable for idle talk involving your oaths, but He holds you accountable for your firm binding of oaths; so its atonement is by feeding ten destitute people from the best of what you feed your families, or by clothing them, or by freeing a slave. But if anyone does not find (the means), then fasting for three days. That is the atonement for (breaking) your oaths when you have sworn them. So keep your oaths. Allah thus clarifies His signs for you, that you may give thanks.
Irving & Mohamed Hegab   
Allah (God) will not take you to task for what you may rattle off in your oaths, but He does take you to task for anything you have sworn to solemnly [and then ignored]. Exoneration for it means feeding ten paupers with the average of what you would feed your own families, or clothing them, or freeing a captive [or slave]. Whoever does not find the wherewithal [to do so], should fast for three days. This is what penance involves in order to free yourselves from any oath you have sworn [loosely]. Keep your word; thus Allah (God) explains His signs to you, so you may act grateful.
Samy Mahdy   
Allah does not censure you with the chatter in your oaths, but He censures you with what you are knotting of the oaths. So, for its atonement is feeding (Ten) needy persons from the average of what you feed your families, or clothing them, or freeing a slave neck. So, whomever did not find (The means of this) so he shall fast three days. That is atonement for breaking your oaths when you have sworn them. So, keep your oaths. Thus, Allah demonstrates His verses for you, perhaps you may be thankful.
Sayyid Qutb   
.ea God will not take you to task for those of your oaths which you may utter without thought, but He will take you to task for oaths which you have sworn in earnest. The breaking of an oath must be atoned for by the feeding of ten needy persons with more or less the same food as you normally give to your own families, or by clothing them, or by the freeing of one slave. He who cannot afford any of these shall fast three days instead. This shall be the atonement for your oaths when you have sworn [and broken them]. But be mindful of your oaths. Thus God makes clear to you His revelations, so that you may give thanks.
Ahmed Hulusi   
Allah will not hold you responsible for oaths you make thoughtlessly! But you are responsible for the oaths you make intentionally and consciously! The expiation for breaking an oath made consciously is feeding or clothing ten needy people, or freeing one slave! Whoever lacks the means to do this should fast for three days. This is the expiation for breaking your oaths! Keep your oaths... Thus does Allah explain His signs to you, so that you evaluate.
Sayyed Abbas Sadr-Ameli   
Allah does not call you to account for your vain (unintentional) oaths, but he calls you to account for what you have pledged solemnly. So its atonement is feeding ten paupers with the average ofwhat you feed your own families, or clothing them, or freeing a slave. But whoever does not find (the means to do so) ,should fast for three days. That is the atonement of your oaths when you pledge. But guard your oaths. Thus Allah makes His Signs clearfor you in order that you might be thankful
Al-muntakhab fi tafsir al-Qur‘an al-Karim   
Allah excuses you for oaths in which the guilt does not reside in the intention, but He holds you responsible for the oaths in which guilt resides in the intention, an affront nothing can expiate but
Mir Aneesuddin   
Allah will not catch you for that which is vain (unintentional) in your oaths, but He will catch you for the oaths with which you are earnestly tied up. Then for its expiation (so as to wipe off the ill effect of breaking such deliberate oaths you should) feed ten poor persons with the normal food with which you feed your own people or clothe them or set free a slave, but whoever does not find (the means to do any of the above three) then he should fast for three days. That is for the expiation of your oaths when you have sworn, but guard your oaths. Thus Allah makes clear to you His signs that you may be grateful.

Obsolete and/or older editions
Yusuf Ali (Orig. 1938)   
God will not call you to account for what is futile in your oaths, but He will call you to account for your deliberate oaths: for expiation, feed ten indigent persons, on a scale of the average for the food of your families; or clothe them; or give a slave his freedom. If that is beyond your means, fast for three days. That is the expiation for the oaths ye have sworn. But keep to your oaths. Thus doth God make clear to you His signs, that ye may be grateful
OLD Literal Word for Word   
Allah will not call you to acc for the thoughtless utterances in your oaths but He for what you contracted (of) the oath. So its expiation (is) feeding (of) ten needy people of average (of) what you feed your families or clothing them or freeing a slave. But whoever (does) not find (that), then fasting (for) three days. That (is the) expiation (of) your oaths when you have sworn. And guard your oaths. Thus Allah makes clear to you His Verses so that you may (be) grateful
OLD Transliteration   
La yu-akhithukumu Allahu biallaghwi fee aymanikum walakin yu-akhithukum bima AAaqqadtumu al-aymana fakaffaratuhu itAAamu AAasharati masakeena min awsati ma tutAAimoona ahleekum aw kiswatuhum aw tahreeru raqabatin faman lam yajid fasiyamu thalathati ayyamin thalika kaffaratu aymanikum itha halaftum waihfathoo aymanakum kathalika yubayyinu Allahu lakum ayatihi laAAallakum tashkuroona