In the name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Kind.

1. O you wrapped up in your cloak.

2. Stand in prayer through the night, except for a little.

3. Half of it, or a bit less.

4. Or add a little more — and recite the Quran slowly and clearly.

5. Soon, We will send down to you a heavy message.

6. Worshiping at night has a deeper impact, and helps you focus on your words.

7. During the day, you have many tasks to do.

8. Remember the name of your Lord, and devote yourself completely to Him.

9. He is the Lord of the east and the west — there is no god except Him, so put your trust in Him.

10. Be patient with what they say, and leave them in a gentle way.

11. Leave those who deny the truth, who are living comfortably, to Me — just give them a little more time.

12. With Us are chains and a blazing fire.

13. And food that chokes, and a painful punishment.

14. On the Day when the earth and mountains will shake, and the mountains will crumble into piles of sand.

15. We have sent you a Messenger, to witness over you, just as We sent a messenger to Pharaoh.

16. But Pharaoh disobeyed the messenger, so We seized him with a severe punishment.

17. If you reject the truth, how will you protect yourselves from a Day that will turn children's hair gray?

18. The sky will split apart on that Day — His promise will surely happen.

19. This is a reminder — so whoever wishes, can choose a path toward his Lord.

20. Your Lord knows that you stand in prayer, for nearly two-thirds of the night, or half of it, or a third of it, along with some of those who are with you. Allah determines the night and the day. He knows you can't keep exact count, so He turned to you in forgiveness. Read whatever you can from the Quran. He knows some of you will be sick, others will travel through the land seeking Allah's bounty, and others will fight in Allah's way. So read whatever you can from it. Pray regularly, give charity, and lend Allah a good loan. Whatever good you send ahead for yourselves, you'll find it with Allah — better, and greater in reward. And ask Allah for forgiveness — truly, Allah is forgiving and full of mercy.