Yusuf Ali
If it had been Our will, We should have elevated him with Our signs; but he inclined to the earth, and followed his own vain desires. His similitude is that of a dog: if you attack him, he lolls out his tongue, or if you leave him alone, he (still) lolls out his tongue. That is the similitude of those who reject Our signs; So relate the story; perchance they may reflect.
Sahih International
And if We had willed, we could have elevated him thereby, but he adhered [instead] to the earth and followed his own desire. So his example is like that of the dog: if you chase him, he pants, or if you leave him, he [still] pants. That is the example of the people who denied Our signs. So relate the stories that perhaps they will give thought.
Shakir
And if We had pleased, We would certainly have exalted him thereby; but he clung to the earth and followed his low desire, so his parable is as the parable of the dog; if you attack him he lolls out his tongue; and if you leave him alone he lolls out his tongue; this is the parable of the people who reject Our communications; therefore relate the narrative that they may reflect.
Pickthall
And had We willed We could have raised him by their means, but he clung to the earth and followed his own lust. Therefor his likeness is as the likeness of a dog: if thou attackest him he panteth with his tongue out, and if thou leavest him he panteth with his tongue out. Such is the likeness of the people who deny Our revelations. Narrate unto them the history (of the men of old), that haply they may take thought.
محمد جالندھری
اور اگر ہم چاہتے تو ان آیتوں سے اس (کے درجے) کو بلند کر دیتے مگر وہ تو پستی کی طرف مائل ہوگیا اور اپنی خواہش کے پیچھے چل پڑا۔ تو اس کی مثال کتے کی سی ہوگئی کہ اگر سختی کرو تو زبان نکالے رہے اور یونہی چھوڑ دو تو بھی زبان نکالے رہے۔ یہی مثال ان لوگوں کی ہے جنہوں نے ہماری آیتوں کو جھٹلایا تو ان سے یہ قصہ بیان کردو۔ تاکہ وہ فکر کریں