P:  Say:  Flight will not avail you if ye flee from death or killing, and then ye dwell in comfort but a little while.

S:  Say:  Flight shall not do you any good if you fly from death or slaughter, and in that case you will not be allowed to enjoy yourselves but a little.

033.017 Y:  Say:  “Who is it that can screen you from Allah if it be His wish to give you punishment or to give you Mercy?” Nor will they find for themselves, besides Allah, any protector or helper.

P:  Say:  Who is he who can preserve you from Allah if He intendeth harm for you, or intendeth mercy for you.  They will not find that they have any friend or helper other than Allah.

S:  Say:  Who is it that can withhold you from Allah if He intends to do you evil, rather He intends to show you mercy?  And they will not find for themselves besides Allah any guardian or a helper.

033.018 Y:  Verily Allah knows those among you who keep back (men) and those who say to their brethren, “Come along to us”, but come not to the fight except for just a little while.

P:  Allah already knoweth those of you who hinder, and those who say unto their brethren:  “Come ye hither unto us!” and they come not to the stress of battle save a little,

S:  Allah knows indeed those among you who hinder others and those who say to their brethren:  Come to us; and they come not to the fight but a little,

033.019 Y:  Covetous over you.  Then when fear comes, thou wilt see them looking to thee, their eyes revolving, like (those of) one over whom hovers death:  but when the fear is past, they will smite you with sharp tongues, covetous of goods.  Such men have no faith, and so Allah has made their deeds of none effect:  and that is easy for Allah.

P:  Being sparing of their help to you (believers).  But when the fear cometh, then thou (Muhammad) seest them regarding thee with rolling eyes like one who fainteth unto death.  Then, when the fear departeth, they scald you with sharp tongues in their greed for wealth (from the spoil).  Such have not believed.  Therefor Allah maketh their deeds fruitless.  And that is easy for Allah.

S:  Being niggardly with respect to you; but when fear comes, you will see them looking to you, their eyes rolling like one swooning because of death; but when the fear is gone they smite you with sharp tongues, being niggardly of the good things.  These have not believed, therefore Allah has made their doing naught; and this is easy to Allah.

033.020 Y:  They think that the Confederates have not withdrawn; and if the Confederates should come (again), they would wish they were in the deserts (wandering) among the Bedouins, and seeking news about you (from a safe distance); and if they were in your midst, they would fight but little.

P:  They hold that the clans have not retired (for good); and if the clans should advance (again), they would fain be in the desert with the wandering Arabs, asking for the news of you; and if they were among you, they would not give battle, save a little.