بخش 66 - قصهٔ قوم یونس علیه‌السلام بیان و برهان آنست کی تضرع و زاری دافع بلای آسمانیست و حق تعالی فاعل مختارست پس تضرع و تعظیم پیش او مفید باشد و فلاسفه گویند فاعل به طبع است و بعلت نه مختار پس تضرع طبع را نگرداند

When the affliction became visible to the people of Yúnus, a cloud full of fire departed (descended) from heaven.

It was shooting (flashes of) lightning, the rocks were burning; the cloud was roaring, cheeks were shedding colour.

All (the people) were on the roofs at night, when that woe came into view from on high.

All came down from the roofs and went bare-headed towards the open country.

Mothers cast out their children, that all might raise wailing and distressful cries.

From (the time of) the evening prayer till the hour of dawn, those folk were throwing dust on their heads.

(Then) all voices were hushed: the (Divine) mercy came upon that perverse people.

After despair and unrestrained lamentation, little by little the cloud began to turn back.

The story of Yúnus is long and broad: it is time (to speak) of the Earth and (resume) the far-spread tale.

Since humble entreaty has (such) value with God—and where (else) has lamentation the price (reward) that it has there?—

Oh, (take) hope! Now (to-day) gird thy loins tight! Arise, O weeper, and laugh continually,

For the glorious King is ranking tears as equal in merit to the blood of the martyr.