even though a short while ago, [just] before it was sent down upon them, they had abandoned all hope!
 - Mohammad Asad
Mohammad Asad
though before its coming they may have lost all hope.
 - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik
Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik although they had utterly lost hope just before it was sent down to them.
 - Mustafa Khattab
Mustafa Khattab
Though before that, even before it was sent down upon them, they were in despair.
 - Marmaduke Pickthall
Marmaduke Pickthall Even though before they received (the rain) just before this they were dumb with despair!
 - Abdullah Yusuf Ali
Abdullah Yusuf Ali