1. Attentively consider heaven, all ye progeny of heaven, and all ye
works of the Most High; fear him, nor conduct yourselves criminally
before him.
2. If He shut up the windows of heaven, restraining the rain and dew,
that it may not descend upon earth on your account, what will you do?
3. And if He send his wrath upon you, and upon all your deeds, you are
not they who can supplicate him; you who utter[278] against his
righteousness, language proud and powerful.[279] To you there shall be
no peace.
4. Do you not see the commanders[280] of ships, how their vessels are
tossed about by the waves, torn to pieces by the winds, and exposed to
the greatest peril?
5. That they therefore fear, because their whole property is embarked
with them on the ocean; and that they forbode evil[281] in their hearts,
because it may swallow them up, and they may perish in it?
6. Is not the whole sea, all its waters, and all its commotion, the work
of him, the Most High; of him who has sealed up all its exertions, and
girded it on every side with sand?
7. _Is it not_ at his rebuke dried up, and alarmed; while all its fish
with everything _contained_ in it die? And will not you, ye sinners, who
are on earth, fear him? Is not He the maker of heaven and earth, and of
all things which are in them?
8. And who has given erudition and wisdom to all that move _progressive_
upon the earth, and over the sea?
9. Are not the commanders of ships terrified at the ocean? And shall not
sinners be terrified at the Most High?
Footnote 278:
_for you utter._
Footnote 279:
_great and powerful things._
Footnote 280:
_kings._
Footnote 281:
_think not good._