Overall meaning : We gave the Children of Israel the Book, bestowed on them judgement and appointed many prophets among them. We provided them with good, lawful provisions and favored them above all other nations of their time—granting them favours such as We had not granted anyone else in the then world. We also gave them plain commandments regarding their faith, but it was only after knowledge from Allah had come to them that they began to differ, all out of envy among themselves!
Your Lord, Muhammad, will decide justly between them on the Day of Resurrection regarding the matters about which they have differed.
And now We have set you, Muhammad, on a clear and straight path of religion; so follow it, and do not follow the desires of those who do not know the truth. They will be of no avail to you, nor will they save you from Allah’s punishment if you follow their whims and desires. The wrongdoers are protectors of one another, but Allah is the Protector and Supporter of the God-fearing who obey His commands.
This Qur’an is a means of insight for mankind—providing clear proofs for them by which they distinguish truth from falsehood—as well as guidance and mercy for people endowed with sure faith.