38:3

كَمْ أَهْلَكْنَا مِن قَبْلِهِم مِّن قَرْنٍ فَنَادَوا وَّلَاتَ حِينَ مَنَاصٍ

Transliteration:

Kam ahlakna min qablihim min qarnin fanadaw walata heena manasin

Word by Word:

How many We destroyed before them of a generation, then they called out when there (was) no longer time (for) escape.

Translations:

How many a generation have We destroyed before their time [for this very sin]! And [how] they called [unto Us] when it was too late to escape!

How many generations before them did We destroy? In the end they cried (for mercy)- when there was no longer time for being saved!

How many a generation We destroyed before them, and they cried out when it was no longer the time for escape!

How many a generation We destroyed before them, then they cried when there was no longer time for escape!

How many a generation have We destroyed before them, and they [then] called out; but it was not a time for escape.