这一章具有鲜明的特点，意象有力，语调强烈。

This surah bears sharp features, powerful images and strong notes.

它听起来就像喷射火焰一般。它考验着人们的心，提出的问题与警告如利箭穿心。我们看到了今世与后世的种种景象、宇宙与人的灵魂，也看到了不信者将要承受的苦难场景。每一个主要场景之后，本章都会对那些否认真理的心灵发出如烈火般的警示，说道：“那日，否认真理者必遭毁灭。”这句话在本章中就重复了十次，因为它是每一段末尾所用的收束语。它的尖锐与强劲的节奏，使这句话格外恰当。在这一点上，它让人想起第55章《至仁主》，该章在提到每一种恩典之后都重复着同一节经文：“你们两个究竟否认主的哪一项恩典呢？” 同样，在第54章《月亮》中，每描绘一幅惩罚的画面之后，也都使用了同样的话语：

Indeed, it sounds like a spitting fire. It puts hearts to trial, presenting questions and threats that pierce like sharp arrows. We see a host of images from both this life and the life to come, the universe and the human soul, as well as scenes of the suffering that unbelievers will endure. After each main scene, the surah levels a fire-like strike at those hearts who deny the truth, saying: “Woe on that day betide those who deny the truth.” This comment is repeated ten times in this surah alone, as it is the final note deployed in each of its sections. It is an especially apt comment, given its sharp features and strong beat. In this respect, it reminds us of Surah 55, The Lord of Grace, where the same verse is repeated after the mention of every aspect of blessing: “Which, then, of your Lord*s blessings do you both deny? ” Likewise, in Surah 54, The Moon, the same comment is used after every image of punishment is drawn:

“我的惩罚是多么严厉，我的警告是多么真实。”这节经文在本章中反复出现，如同在其他章中一样，它赋予本章独特而锐利的语气。

“How grievous was My punishment and how true were My warnings.” The verse repeated in this surah, as in other surahs, serves to give its distinctively sharp tone.

这一章由若干段落组成，每段都是短促、急迫的节句。它每一段都换一个韵脚，不过有些韵音会在变换之后再度出现。所有这些段落、韵脚和短节句都被强烈地感受到，一个接一个地出现。刚从一个尖锐的音调中缓过来，新的音调又已响起。从一开始，整体氛围就是狂风骤雨般的，开篇便是强风或天使的景象：“以那些接连遣发的，以那些狂暴呼啸的，以那些四散播撒的，以那些清楚地分辨（真假与是非）的，以那些带来提醒、作为辩解与警告的起誓。”（第1-6节）这样的开篇与整章的氛围完全吻合。

The surah is composed of sections with short, quick verses. It changes its rhyme with each section, although some rhyming sounds are picked up again after they have been changed. All these sections, rhymes and short verses are sharply felt, one after the other. One hardly recovers after one sharp note when a new one begins. Right from the outset, the general atmosphere is tempestuous, starting with a scene of strong winds, or angels: “By those sent forth in swift succession; and those tempestuously storming on; and those scattering far and wide; and those separating [right and wrong] with all clarity; and those giving a reminder, with an excuse and a warning? (Verses 1-6) This opening is perfectly consistent with the ambience of the surah.

《古兰经》在运用特定的框架来烘托某些章节的氛围方面，堪称卓绝。第93章《朝阳》（Surat ad-Duha）讲述神的眷顾与慈爱，其框架取材于明亮的晨光与静谧的夜晚。第100章《奔驰的战马》（Surat al-'Adiyat）描绘坟墓中的遗骸被抛出、人心中所藏之物被聚集，其框架则取自喷着鼻息的战马击出火星的景象。类似的例子还可以举出很多。

The Quran is extraordinary in the way in which it uses particular frameworks to enhance the atmosphere of certain surahs. In Surah 93, The Morning Hours, which speaks about God’s care and kindness, the framework is drawn from the bright morning hours and still nights. In Surah 100, The Coursers, which depicts the scattering of grave contents and the gathering of what is in peoples breasts, we have a framework drawn from snorting horses striking sparks of fire. Further examples could be given in plenty.

每一段在这一章的开篇之后的十个部分，各自代表一个特别的回合，或者是通向另一个世界的旅程。这使得本章在反思、感受、思想与回应方面拥有极为广阔的空间。而这一空间，远比字句所表达的要宽广得多。

Each of the ten sections that follow the opening of the surah represents a special round or a journey into a different world. This gives the surah great scope for reflection, feeling, ideas and responses. This scope is also much wider than the words and sentences imply.

第一回合描绘了那决断之日的景象，展现宇宙即将发生的巨大变动。这是真主的使者们为人类所确定的约期：“当群星黯淡，天空破裂，山岳被吹散如尘，使者们被定下时限……这一切是为哪一天而定的？是为决断之日。你怎能知道决断之日是什么呢？那一天，否认真理者必遭祸殃！”（第8至15节）

The first round paints scenes from the day of distinction, showing the great upheaval that will take place in the universe. This is the appointment defined by God’s messengers to mankind: “ When the stars are dimmed, and the sky is rent asunder, and the mountains are scattered like dust, and the messengers are given their appointed time... For what day has all this been set? For the day of distinction. Would that you knew what the day of distinction is! Woe on that day betide those who deny the truth? (Verses 8-15)

第二轮谈到古代民族所遭受的命运，突显了适用于否认天启信息者的真主律法：“难道我没有毁灭古代的民族吗？然后我必使后来的人跟随他们。我就这样对待罪人。在那日，否认真理者必遭灾殃！”（经文16—19）

The second round refers to the fates suffered by communities of olden times, highlighting the divine law that applies to those who deny the divine message: “Did We not destroy those people of old? We shall certainly cause later ones to follow them. Thus do We deal with the guilty. Woe on that day betide those who deny the truth? (Verses 16—19)

第三轮将我们带到人类的起源,以及它所展现的真主整体规划的印象:"难道我们不是用一滴卑贱的液体创造了你们,将它安置在安全的居所之中,直到预定的期限吗?我们如此决定——我们的决定何等美妙。那一天,否认真理者必遭灾祸。"(第20至24节)

Round three takes us to the origins of man and the impression they give of God’s overall planning: “Have We not created you from a humble fluid, placing it in a safe lodging for a pre-determined term? Thus have We determined; excellent indeed is how We determine. Woe on that day betide those who deny the truth” (Verses 20-24)

在第四段中，我们看到大地——它将活着的和死去的子女都拥入怀中——被赋予了安稳生活的条件以及生命所必需的水：“难道我没有使大地成为活人和死人的居所吗？我在地上安置了坚固高耸的山岳，并给你们饮用甘甜的水。那日，否认真理者必遭灾祸。”（第25-28节）

In the fourth round we see how the earth, which takes its children, living or dead, to its bosom, has been equipped with the facility of stable life and with water that is necessary for life: “Have We not made the earth an abode for the living and the dead? We have placed on it firm, lofty mountains and provided you with fresh water to drink. Woe on that day betide those who deny the truth.” (Verses 25-28)

第五轮讲的是那些拒绝天启信息的人，他们受到严厉的斥责，并且将在分辨之日遭受即将到来的惩罚：“你们去吧，去那你们过去所否认的！你们去吧，去那分为三股的烟柱之下，它既不遮荫，也不能抵挡火焰。它喷出的火星大如宫堡，黄如金驼。那日，否认真理的人必遭苦难。”（第29-34节）

The fifth round speaks of those who reject the divine message and how they are received with strong rebuke, as well as their impending punishment, on the day of distinction: “Go to that which you used to deny! Go to a shadow rising in three columns; giving no shade, nor relief from the flame. It throws up sparks as huge as forts, as bright as yellow camels. Woe on that day betide those who deny the truth.” (Verses 29-34)

接下来的两轮继续针对不信道者,并加以进一步的斥责:"在那一日,他们不能说一句话,也不被允许提出任何借口。在那一日,否认真理者必遭祸殃。这是分别善恶的日子,我已将你们与古时的那些人一同聚集。如果你们还有什么计谋,现在就用来对付我吧。在那一日,否认真理者必遭祸殃。"(第35-40节)

The next two rounds continue with the unbelievers, adding further rebuke: “ On that day they will not utter a word, and they will not be allowed to offer any excuse. Woe on that day betide those who deny the truth. This is the day of distinction: We have gathered you with all those people of old. If you have a scheme left, then use it against Me now. Woe on that day betide those who deny the truth.” (Verses 35-40)

第八轮谈到敬畏者及为他们预备的福分：{敬畏者必住在荫凉的树林和泉水之中，并有他们所喜欢的水果。你们吃吧，喝吧，作为你们所行的报酬，你们要尽情享用。我这样报答行善的人。那日，否认真理的人必遭祸殃。}（第41—45节）

Round eight speaks of the God-fearing and the blessings prepared for them: “ The God fearing shall dwell amid cool shades and springs, and fruits as they may desire. Eat and drink to your hearts' content in return for what you did. Thus do We reward those who do good. Woe on that day betide those who deny the truth.” (Verses 41—45)

前两轮简要呈现了那些执意否认神的启示的人。第一轮予以斥责，第二轮则展现他们顽固拒绝的模样：“你们吃吧，享受吧，暂时的享受，你们确是罪人。那日，否认真理者必有祸患。有人叫他们向神叩拜，他们却不叩拜。”

The last two rounds provide quick glimpses of the people who are bent on denying Gods message. The first reproaches them and the second shows them in obstinate rejection: “Eat and enjoy your life for a little while, for you are certainly guilty. Woe on that day betide those who deny the truth. When they are told to bow down before God, they do not bow down.

那一日，否认真理者必遭灾祸。”（第46-49节）

Woe on that day betide those who deny the truth. ” (Verses 46-49)

这些轮次、它们的意象与锐利的警示，以一节经文收尾，问道：“此后，他们还信什么话呢？”（第50节）

These rounds, their images and sharp notes conclude with a single verse asking: “In what message, after this, will they believe?” (Verse 50)

听众随着这章经文急促的节奏前行,面对接连涌现的画面,几乎感到气息都要喘不过来。这一章所论述的主题,在其他几章中也有涉及,尤其是麦加时期的章节。然而,《古兰经》阐述其所呈现的真理时,会依据所面对的不同情境,从不同角度、以不同的光照、并有不同的侧重来加以表达。

The listener follows the quick rhythm of the surah feeling almost out of breath at its succession of images. The subject matter of the surah is covered in several other surahs, particularly Makkan ones. However, the Qur’an tackles the truth it presents from different angles, in different lights, and with different emphases according to the situations they face.

这些方法会依照人心与灵魂的状况，以最适合它们的方式去触动它们，而这一切都为那位降示《古兰经》给他的使者的主所知晓。因此，每当情境出现新的变化，这些方法便呈现出新的面貌，因为它们会引出新的回应。

Such approaches address hearts and souls as best suits them, according to their conditions known to the One who has revealed the Qur’an to His Messenger. They thus appear new with every new situation, because they produce new responses.

我们看到，这一章描绘了关于地狱的全新画面，并以全新的方式向不信者展示这些画面；换言之，它采用了一种全新的劝诫语体。因此，这一章具有鲜明的特色：语势强烈，画面锐利，节奏急促。

We see that this surah draws new images of hell, and takes a new approach in showing these images to unbelievers; in other words, it employs a new style of address. Thus, the surah acquires a distinctive character with intense features, sharp images and a rapid rhythm.