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Muhammad Asad   
[Easy is it for Him to create likeness and variety:] thus, the two great bodies of water [on earth] are not alike the one sweet, thirst-allaying, pleasant to drink, and the other salty and bitter: and yet, from either of them do you eat fresh meat, and [from either] you take gems which you may wear; and on either thou canst see ships ploughing through the waves, so that you might [be able to] go forth in quest of some of His bounty, and thus have cause to be grateful
The Clear Quran, Dr. Mustafa Khattab   
The two bodies of water are not alike: one is fresh, palatable, and pleasant to drink and the other is salty and bitter. Yet from them both you eat tender seafood and extract ornaments to wear. And you see the ships ploughing their way through both, so you may seek His bounty and give thanks ˹to Him˺.
Safi Kaskas   
The two seas are not alike: one is fresh and sweet, suitable for drinking, and the other is salty and bitter. Yet from each you eat fresh meat and extract ornaments to wear. You see ships making their way through [each of them] so that you might seek His bounty and so perhaps you will be thankful.

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Source Arabic and Literal tools
Arabic   
وَمَا یَسۡتَوِی ٱلۡبَحۡرَانِ هَـٰذَا عَذۡبࣱ فُرَاتࣱ سَاۤىِٕغࣱ شَرَابُهُۥ وَهَـٰذَا مِلۡحٌ أُجَاجࣱۖ وَمِن كُلࣲّ تَأۡكُلُونَ لَحۡمࣰا طَرِیࣰّا وَتَسۡتَخۡرِجُونَ حِلۡیَةࣰ تَلۡبَسُونَهَاۖ وَتَرَى ٱلۡفُلۡكَ فِیهِ مَوَاخِرَ لِتَبۡتَغُوا۟ مِن فَضۡلِهِۦ وَلَعَلَّكُمۡ تَشۡكُرُونَ ۝١٢
Transliteration (2021)   
wamā yastawī l-baḥrāni hādhā ʿadhbun furātun sāighun sharābuhu wahādhā mil'ḥun ujājun wamin kullin takulūna laḥman ṭariyyan watastakhrijūna ḥil'yatan talbasūnahā watarā l-ful'ka fīhi mawākhira litabtaghū min faḍlihi walaʿallakum tashkurūn
Word for Word
Dr. Shehnaz Shaikh, Ms. Kauser Katri, and more
  
And not are alike the two seas. This (is) fresh, sweet, pleasant its drink, and this salty (and) bitter. And from each you eat meat fresh and you extract ornaments you wear them, and you see the ships in it, cleaving, so that you may seek of His Bounty, and that you may be grateful.

Generally Accepted Translations of the Meaning
Muhammad Asad   
[Easy is it for Him to create likeness and variety:] thus, the two great bodies of water [on earth] are not alike the one sweet, thirst-allaying, pleasant to drink, and the other salty and bitter: and yet, from either of them do you eat fresh meat, and [from either] you take gems which you may wear; and on either thou canst see ships ploughing through the waves, so that you might [be able to] go forth in quest of some of His bounty, and thus have cause to be grateful
M. M. Pickthall   
And the two seas are not alike: this, fresh, sweet, good to drink, this (other) bitter, salt. And from them both ye eat fresh meat and derive the ornament that ye wear. And thou seest the ship cleaving them with its prow that ye may seek of His bounty, and that haply ye may give thanks
Yusuf Ali (Saudi Rev. 1985)   
Nor are the two bodies of flowing water alike,- the one palatable, sweet, and pleasant to drink, and the other, salt and bitter. Yet from each (kind of water) do ye eat flesh fresh and tender, and ye extract ornaments to wear; and thou seest the ships therein that plough the waves, that ye may seek (thus) of the Bounty of Allah that ye may be grateful
The Clear Quran, Dr. Mustafa Khattab   
The two bodies of water are not alike: one is fresh, palatable, and pleasant to drink and the other is salty and bitter. Yet from them both you eat tender seafood and extract ornaments to wear. And you see the ships ploughing their way through both, so you may seek His bounty and give thanks ˹to Him˺.
Safi Kaskas   
The two seas are not alike: one is fresh and sweet, suitable for drinking, and the other is salty and bitter. Yet from each you eat fresh meat and extract ornaments to wear. You see ships making their way through [each of them] so that you might seek His bounty and so perhaps you will be thankful.
Wahiduddin Khan   
The two seas are not alike. The one is sweet, thirst-quenching, and pleasant to drink from, while the other is salty and bitter. Yet from each you eat fresh fish and extract ornaments to wear, and in each you see the ships ploughing through the waves so that you may seek His bounty and so that you may feel thankful
Shakir   
And the two seas are not alike: the one sweet, that subdues thirst by its excessive sweetness, pleasant to drink; and the other salt, that burns by its saltness; yet from each of them you eat fresh flesh and bring forth ornaments which you wear; and you see the ships cleave through it that you may seek of His bounty and that you may be grateful
Dr. Laleh Bakhtiar   
The two bodies of water are not on the same level. This is agreeable, water of the sweetest kind, that which is delicious to drink, and the other is salty, bitter. But from each you eat succulent flesh and pull out glitter that you wear. And thou wilt see the boats, that which plows through the waves on it, that you be looking for His grace and so that perhaps you will give thanks.
T.B.Irving   
Both seas are not alike: this one is sweet, fresh, refreshing to drink, while the other is salty, briny. From each you catch fresh meat and extract jewelry you wear. You see ships sailing along on it so you may seek His bounty and so that you may feel thankful.
Abdul Hye   
And the 2 seas are not alike - one is fresh sweet and pleasant to drink; and the other is salty and bitter. Yet, from each of them you eat fresh meat (fish) and get ornaments to wear. You see the ships sailing through them, that you may seek His Bounty, and that you may give thanks.
The Study Quran   
Not equal are the two seas: one sweet, satisfying, pleasant to drink, and the other salty, bitter. Yet from each you eat fresh meat, and bring out ornaments that you wear. And you see the ships therein plowing through, that you may seek of His Bounty, and that haply you may give thanks
Talal Itani & AI (2024)   
The two seas aren’t the same. One is fresh, sweet, and satisfying to drink, while the other is salty and bitter. From each, you eat tender meat and derive jewels to wear. You see ships sailing through it, seeking His bounty, so you may give thanks.
Talal Itani (2012)   
The two seas are not the same. One is fresh, sweet, good to drink, while the other is salty and bitter. Yet from each you eat tender meat, and extract jewelry which you wear. And you see the ships plowing through them, so that you may seek of His bounty, so that you may give thanks
Dr. Kamal Omar   
And the two seas do not become equal and identical — this one is sweet, thirst-satisfying, its liquid-state pleasant to drink and swallow; while this (other one is) saltish, bitter and heavy — and from all you eat fresh tender meat and you bring out ornaments that you wear and put on. And you see the ships therein, cleavers (of sea-water) as they sail (through it), so that you may seek of His Bounty, and perchance you may pay thanks (to Allah)
M. Farook Malik   
The two bodies of water, of which one is sweet and pleasant to drink and the other is salty and bitter, are not alike. Yet from each kind of water you eat fresh meat and extract ornaments which you wear; and you see the ships plough their course through them to seek the bounty of Allah, that you may be grateful
Muhammad Mahmoud Ghali   
And in no way can the two seas be equal; this is sweet, gratifying (to taste) palatable as a drink; and this (other) is salt, bitter (to the tongue); and of each you eat fresh flesh and draw forth ornaments for you to wear. And you see the ships plowing through it that you may seek of His Grace and that possibly you would thank (Him)
Muhammad Sarwar   
The two oceans, one sweet and the other salty, are not alike. From each you can eat fresh meat and obtain ornaments to use. You see ships ploughing their way through them so that you may seek His favor and give Him thanks
Muhammad Taqi Usmani   
And two seas are not alike; this one is sweet, saturating, pleasant to drink, and that one is salt, bitter. But from each, you eat fresh meat, and derive ornaments that you wear. And you see the boats therein cleaving through water, so that you may search for His grace, and that you may be grateful
Shabbir Ahmed   
(Observe the diversity in Nature.) Thus the two seas (and subsoil waters) are not alike. One is fresh, good to drink, the other undrinkable, salty (25:53). Yet, from either of them you eat tender meat and extract ornament that you may wear. And you see ships sailing through the waves seeking His Bounty, so that you may have cause to be grateful
Dr. Munir Munshey   
The two kinds of flowing water (on the earth) are not alike. One is sweet, refreshing and quenches the thirst. The other is bitter and brackish. Yet, from both of them you attain fresh meat to eat, and extract pearls to wear. You see huge ships plough through the waves so you may seek His blessings (and earn your livelihood). Perhaps you will feel grateful
Syed Vickar Ahamed   
And the two (seas) kinds of water are not alike (and the same)— One is tasteful, sweet and pleasant to drink, and the other, (tastes of) salt and is bitter. Yet from (both of) them, you eat fresh and tender flesh (fish and foods from the seas); From each (group of water), and you take out ornaments (pearls) to wear; And in there you see the ships that go through the waves, for you to search from the (riches and) bounty of Allah that you may be thankful
Umm Muhammad (Sahih International)   
And not alike are the two bodies of water. One is fresh and sweet, palatable for drinking, and one is salty and bitter. And from each you eat tender meat and extract ornaments which you wear, and you see the ships plowing through [them] that you might seek of His bounty; and perhaps you will be grateful
[The Monotheist Group] (2011 Edition)   
Nor are the two seas the same. One is fresh and palatable, good to drink, while the other is salty and bitter. And from each of them you eat tender meat, and you extract jewellery to wear. And you see the ships sailing through them, seeking His provisions; and perhaps you may be appreciative
Abdel Haleem   
The two bodies of water are not alike- one is palatable, sweet, and pleasant to drink, the other salty and bitter- yet from each you eat fresh fish and extract ornaments to wear, and in each you see the ships ploughing their course so that you may seek God’s bounty and be grateful
Abdul Majid Daryabadi   
And the two seas are not alike: this, sweet, thirst- quenching, pleasant to drink;and that, saltish and bitter. And yet from each ye eat flesh fresh and bring forth the ornaments that ye wear. And thou seest therein ships cleaving the water, that ye may seek of His graCe, and that haply ye may give thanks
Ahmed Ali   
Alike are not two bodies of water: This one is sweet and fresh and pleasant to drink, and this one brine and bitter; yet you get fresh meat to eat from both, and take out ornaments to wear. You see how the ships churn through them so that you may seek of His bounty and, perhaps, give thanks
Aisha Bewley   
The two seas are not the same: the one is sweet, refreshing, delicious to drink, the other salty, bitter to the taste. Yet from both of them you eat fresh flesh and extract ornaments for yourselves to wear; and you see ships on them, cleaving through the waves so that you can seek His bounty and so that hopefully you will be thankful.
Ali Ünal   
Nor are the two seas (large bodies of water) alike: this one is sweet and palatable, and pleasant to drink, but that one, salty and bitter. You obtain from both fresh meat (for your nourishment), and precious stones to wear as ornament. And you see ships plowing through (both kinds of water), so that you may seek of His bounty, and that you may give Him thanks
Ali Quli Qara'i   
Not alike are the two seas: this one sweet and agreeable, pleasant to drink, and that one briny and bitter, and from each you eat fresh meat and obtain ornaments which you wear. And you see the ships plowing through them, that you may seek of His grace, and so that you may give thanks
Hamid S. Aziz   
And the two seas are not alike: the one fresh, sweet, pleasant to drink; and the other salt, that burns by its saltiness; yet from each of them you eat fresh flesh and bring forth ornaments which you wear; and you see the ships cleave through it that you
Ali Bakhtiari Nejad   
And the two seas are not the same. Drink of this one is fresh, sweet and pleasant, and that one salty and bitter. And you eat fresh meat (fish) from both, and you bring out jewelry that you wear, and you see ships slicing (and sailing) through them so that you look for His bounty, and so that you may be thankful.
A.L. Bilal Muhammad et al (2018)   
Nor are the two bodies of flowing water alike, the one palatable, sweet, and pleasant to drink, and the other, salty and bitter. Yet from each kind of water do you eat meat fresh and tender, and you extract ornaments to wear, and you see the ships in it that plow the waves, so that you may seek the bounty of God, and that you may be grateful
Musharraf Hussain   
Take two bodies of water, they are not the same: one fresh, sweet and pleasant to drink, the other is salty and bitter; from these waters, you eat the tender flesh of fish, and extract pearls to wear. Similarly, you see ships ploughing through the sea to seek a share of His bounty, and maybe you will appreciate Allah.
Maududi   
The two masses of water are not alike. The one is sweet, sates thirst, and is pleasant to drink from, while the other is salt, bitter on the tongue. Yet from both you eat fresh meat, and extract from it ornaments that you wear; and you see ships cruising through it that you may seek of His Bounty and be thankful to Him
[The Monotheist Group] (2013 Edition)   
Nor are the two seas the same. One is fresh and palatable, good to drink, while the other is salty and bitter. And from each of them you eat tender meat, and you extract jewelry to wear. And you see the ships sailing through them, seeking His provisions; and perhaps you may be thankful.
Mohammad Shafi   
And the two seas are not alike: one sweet, thirst-queching, pleasant to drink; and the other salty, bitter. And from both you eat fresh flesh and bring out jewels which you wear. And you see the ships in the sea cut through its water so that you might seek His bounty and be thankful

Controversial or status undetermined works
Ahmed Raza Khan (Barelvi)   
And both seas are not alike. This is sweat, very sweat a pleasant water and this the other one is saltish bitter. And from each you eat fresh meat and take out an ornament to wear, and you see the boats therein that they cleave the water so that you may seek His grace and that you be grateful.
Rashad Khalifa   
The two seas are not the same; one is fresh and delicious, while the other is salty and undrinkable. From each of them you eat tender meat, and extract jewelry to wear. And you see the ships sailing through them, seeking His provisions, that you may be appreciative.
Hasan Al-Fatih Qaribullah   
The two seas are not alike. One is fresh, sweet and pleasant to taste, while the other is salt and bitter. Yet, from each you eat fresh flesh and bring forth out of it ornaments for you to wear. And you see the ships plow their course through it so that you may seek His bounty, and in order that you give thanks
Maulana Muhammad Ali   
And the two seas are not alike: the one sweet, very sweet, pleasant to drink; and the other salt, bitter. Yet from both you eat fresh flesh and bring forth ornaments which you wear. And thou seest the ships cleave through it, that you may seek of His bounty and that you may give thanks
Muhammad Ahmed & Samira   
And the two seas/oceans do not become equal/alike, that (is) fresh/sweet very sweet/fresh pleasant tasting its drink, and that (is) salty, salty and bitter, and from each/all you eat a soft/tender meat , and you bring out a jewel/ornament you wear/dress it, and you see the ship/ships in it audibly cutting through to ask/desire from His grace/favour , and maybe/perhaps you thank/be grateful
Bijan Moeinian   
Be grateful to God [Note: this translation is out of sync with the Arabic, in the actual publication]
Faridul Haque   
And the two seas are not alike; this is sweet, very sweet and palatable – and this is salty, bitter; and from each you eat fresh meat and extract the ornament which you wear; and you see the ship cleaving through it, so that you may seek His munificence, and in some way become grateful
Sher Ali   
And the two seas are not alike: this one palatable, sweet and pleasant to drink and this other saltish, bitter. And yet from each you eat fresh meat, and take forth ornaments which you wear. And thou seest the ships therein ploughing the waves that you may seek of HIS bounty, and that you may be grateful
Dr. Mohammad Tahir-ul-Qadri   
And two seas (or rivers) cannot be the same: this (one) is sweet, thirst-quenching and pleasant to drink and that (other) is salty and very bitter. And you eat fresh meat from each and bring forth ornaments (including pearls and corals) that you wear. And you see in them boats (and ships) that cleave through (the water), so that you may seek His bounty (through marine trade routes) and that you may become grateful
Amatul Rahman Omar   
The two great bodies of water are not alike; this one is palatable, sweet and pleasant to drink while the other is saltish and bitter. Yet (inspite of all this) you take for food fresh and wholesome meat (of fish) from them both; and bring out from them (pearl-like things used in) ornaments for your wear. And you can see the ships cleaving (their way) through it so that you may seek of His bounty (by means of commercial navigation), and so that you may give (Him) thanks
Muhsin Khan & Muhammad al-Hilali   
And the two seas (kinds of water) are not alike, this fresh sweet, and pleasant to drink, and that saltish and bitter. And from them both you eat fresh tender meat (fish), and derive the ornaments that you wear. And you see the ships cleaving (the seawater as they sail through it), that you may seek of His Bounty, and that you may give thanks

Non-Muslim and/or Orientalist works
Arthur John Arberry   
Not equal are the two seas; this is sweet, grateful to taste, delicious to drink, and that is salt, bitter to the tongue. Yet of both you eat fresh flesh, and bring forth out of it ornaments for you to wear; and thou mayest see the ships cleaving through it, that you may seek of His bounty, and so haply you will be thankful
George Sale   
The two seas are not to be held in comparison: This is fresh and sweet, pleasant to drink; but that is salt and bitter: Yet out of each of them ye eat fish, and take ornaments for you to wear. Thou seest the ships also plowing the waves thereof, that ye may seek to enrich yourselves by commerce, of the abundance of God: Peradventure ye will be thankful
Edward Henry Palmer   
The two seas are not equal: one is sweet and fresh and pleasant to drink, and the other is salt and pungent; but from each do ye eat fresh flesh, and bring forth ornaments which ye wear; and thou mayest see the ships cleave through it, that ye may search after His grace, and haply ye may give thanks
John Medows Rodwell   
Nor are the two seas alike: the one fresh, sweet, pleasant for drink, and the other salt, bitter; yet from both ye eat fresh fish, and take forth for you ornaments to wear, and thou seest the ships cleaving their waters that ye may go in quest of his bounties, and that ye may be thankful
N J Dawood (2014)   
The two seas are not alike. The one is fresh, sweet, and pleasant to drink from, and the other is salt and bitter. From both you eat fresh fish, and from both you bring out ornaments to wear. Behold how the ships plough their course through them as you sail away to seek His bounty. Perchance you will give thanks

New, Partial, or In Progress Translations
Fode Drame   
And the two oceans are not equal; this one fresh and sweet delectable to drink and this one is salty and bitter but from both you eat fresh meat and you extract ornaments that you wear and you see the ships furrowing through it so that you may seek from His favor and perhaps that you may offer gratitude.
Munir Mezyed   
And the two seas are not alike: one is fresh, sweet and pleasant to drink, whereas the other is salty and bitter. Yet from both you eat fresh tender meat and extract ornaments for you to wear. You see the ships cleaving through it so that you may seek of His bounty and show gratitude (to Allâh for His endless blessings).
Sahib Mustaqim Bleher   
And the two bodies of water are not the same: this one is sweet and palatable and can be drunk, and this is salty and unpalatable. And of each you eat fresh meat and extract jewellery which you wear. And you see the ship cut through them so that you seek of His bounty and that you would be grateful.
Linda “iLHam” Barto   
The two bodies of flowing water are not alike. One is fresh, sweet, and pleasant to drink. The other is salty and bitter. Yet, from each, you eat fresh meat. You extract ornaments to wear. You see the ships plowing (the waves) so you may seek His bounty and have reason to be grateful.
Fadel Soliman, Bridges‘ Translation   
And the two waters are not equal: this one is fresh, sweet, good to drink, while this is salty, bitter. Yet from each youpl eat tender meat and extract jewelry which you wear, and you see the ships plowing through them, that you may seek of His grace, and that you may give thanks.
Irving & Mohamed Hegab   
Both seas are not alike: this one is sweet, fresh, refreshing to drink, while the other is salty, briny. From each you eat fresh meat and extract jewelry you wear. You see ships sailing along on it so you may seek His bounty and so that you may feel thankful.
Samy Mahdy   
And not the two seas are equal: this is fresh, sweet, palatable, its drink, and this bitter, salty. And from each you eat soft meat and extract ornaments which you wear, and you see the arks cleaving in it to seek from His bounty; and perhaps you may be thankful.
Sayyid Qutb   
The two great bodies of water on earth are not alike: one is palatable, sweet and pleasant to drink, and the other is salty and bitter. Yet from each you eat fresh meat and extract ornaments to wear. You also see there ships that plough their course through them so that you may go in quest of some of His bounty and be grateful.
Ahmed Hulusi   
Not equal are the two seas! One is sweet and quenches thirst, pleasing and easy to drink... The other is salty and bitter... From each one you eat fresh meat and extract ornaments to wear... And you see ships sailing through them, so that you seek of His bounty and are grateful.
Sayyed Abbas Sadr-Ameli   
And not are the two seas alike, the one (is) palatable, and pleasant to drink, and the other, salt and bitter. Yet from the both you eat fresh flesh; and you extract ornaments which you wear, and you see the ships cleave through it that you may seek of His bounty and that you may be thankful.
Al-muntakhab fi tafsir al-Qur‘an al-Karim   
Nor do the two kinds of flowing waters compare: one fresh and sweet pleasant to drink and the other salty and bitter, and from each do you eat tender meat and you obtain various kinds of gems you use as articles of ornaments carried on your bodies. And you see the ships -the large sea-going vessels and the river- boats- ploughing through the waves and cleaving the surface thereof to help you accomplish your objects sought after of His bounty to the end that your bosoms may hopefully surge and answer thanks
Mir Aneesuddin   
And the two seas are not equal, one quenches thirst, sweet, pleasant to drink and the other saltish, bitter; and from each you eat fresh flesh and take out ornaments which you wear; and you see the ships cleave through it that you may seek of His grace and that you may be grateful.

Obsolete and/or older editions
Yusuf Ali (Orig. 1938)   
Nor are the two bodies of flowing water alike,- the one palatable, sweet, and pleasant to drink, and the other, salt and bitter. Yet from each (kind of water) do ye eat flesh fresh and tender, and ye extract ornaments to wear; and thou seest th e ships therein that plough the waves, that ye may seek (thus) of the Bounty of God that ye may be grateful
OLD Literal Word for Word   
And not are alike the two seas. This (is) fresh, sweet, pleasant its drink, and this salty (and) bitter. And from each you eat meat fresh and you extract ornaments you wear them, and you see the ships in it, cleaving, so that you may seek of His Bounty, and that you may be grateful
OLD Transliteration   
Wama yastawee albahrani hatha AAathbun furatun sa-ighun sharabuhu wahatha milhun ojajun wamin kullin ta/kuloona lahman tariyyan watastakhrijoona hilyatan talbasoonaha watara alfulka feehi mawakhira litabtaghoo min fadlihi walaAAallakum tashkuroona