وَكَمْ أَهْلَكْنَا قَبْلَهُم مِّن قَرْنٍ هُمْ أَحْسَنُ أَثَاثًا وَرِئْيًا
Wakam ahlakna qablahum min qarnin hum ahsanu athathan wari/yan
And how many We destroyed before them of a generation - they (were) better (in) possessions and appearance?
And yet, how many a generation have We destroyed before their time-[people] who surpassed them in material power and in outward show!
But how many (countless) generations before them have we destroyed, who were even better in equipment and in glitter to the eye?
How many a generation have We destroyed before them, who were more imposing in respect of gear and outward seeming!
And how many a generation have We destroyed before them, who had better possessions and appearance!
And how many a generation have We destroyed before them who were better in possessions and [outward] appearance?