Popular Translations
Muhammad Asad
notwithstanding that we were established in positions [which we had thought well-suited] to listening to [whatever secrets might be in] it: and anyone who now [or ever] tries to listen will [likewise] find a flame lying in wait for him
Arthur John Arberry
We would sit there on seats to hear; but any listening now finds a meteor in wait for him
Yusuf Ali (Saudi Rev. 1985)
'We used, indeed, to sit there in (hidden) stations, to (steal) a hearing; but any who listen now will find a flaming fire watching him in ambush
Arabic
وَأَنَّا كُنَّا نَقۡعُدُ مِنۡهَا مَقَـٰعِدَ لِلسَّمۡعِۖ فَمَن یَسۡتَمِعِ ٱلۡءَانَ یَجِدۡ لَهُۥ شِهَابࣰا رَّصَدࣰا ٩
Transliteration (2021)
wa-annā kunnā naqʿudu min'hā maqāʿida lilssamʿi faman yastamiʿi l-āna yajid lahu shihāban raṣada