قُمِ اللَّيلَ إِلّا قَليلًا

Stand in prayer at night, except for a little.

نِصفَهُ أَوِ انقُص مِنهُ قَليلًا

Half of it, or subtract a little from it.

أَو زِد عَلَيهِ وَرَتِّلِ القُرآنَ تَرتيلًا

Or add to it, and recite the Quran with measured recitation.

إِنّا سَنُلقي عَلَيكَ قَولًا ثَقيلًا

We will send down to you a heavy word.

إِنَّ ناشِئَةَ اللَّيلِ هِيَ أَشَدُّ وَطئًا وَأَقوَمُ قيلًا

The night vigil is more effective, and more suitable for understanding.