after they had turned with disdain from their Sustainer's commandment - whereupon the thunderbolt of punishment overtook them while they were [helplessly] looking on:

But they insolently defied the Command of their Lord: So the stunning noise (of an earthquake) seized them, even while they were looking on.

But they rebelled against their Lord's decree, and so the thunderbolt overtook them even while they gazed;

But they revolted against the commandment of their Lord, so the punishment overtook them, while they saw.

But they were insolent toward the command of their Lord, so the thunderbolt seized them while they were looking on.