I brought here, three different translation of the verses. Since translation cannot be taken as equal to the real version of Quran which is in Arabic. I took a cautious step to present 3 translations instead of 1:
037.001
YUSUFALI: By those who range themselves in ranks,
PICKTHAL: By those who set the ranks in battle order
SHAKIR: I swear by those who draw themselves out in ranks
037.002
YUSUFALI: And so are strong in repelling (evil),
PICKTHAL: And those who drive away (the wicked) with reproof
SHAKIR: Then those who drive away with reproof,
037.003
YUSUFALI: And thus proclaim the Message (of Allah)!
PICKTHAL: And those who read (the Word) for a reminder,
SHAKIR: Then those who recite, being mindful,
037.004
YUSUFALI: Verily, verily, your Allah is one!-
PICKTHAL: Lo! thy Lord is surely One;
SHAKIR: Most surely your Allah is One:
037.005
YUSUFALI: Lord of the heavens and of the earth and all between them, and Lord of every point at the rising of the sun!
PICKTHAL: Lord of the heavens and of the earth and all that is between them, and Lord of the sun's risings.
SHAKIR: The Lord of the heavens and the earth and what is between them, and Lord of the easts.
037.006
YUSUFALI: We have indeed decked the lower heaven with beauty (in) the stars,-
PICKTHAL: Lo! We have adorned the lowest heaven with an ornament, the planets;
SHAKIR: Surely We have adorned the nearest heaven with an adornment, the stars,
037.007
YUSUFALI: (For beauty) and for guard against all obstinate rebellious evil spirits,
PICKTHAL: With security from every froward devil.
SHAKIR: And (there is) a safeguard against every rebellious Shaitan.
037.008
YUSUFALI: (So) they should not strain their ears in the direction of the Exalted Assembly but be cast away from every side,
PICKTHAL: They cannot listen to the Highest Chiefs for they are pelted from every side,
SHAKIR: They cannot listen to the exalted assembly and they are thrown at from every side,
037.009
YUSUFALI: Repulsed, for they are under a perpetual penalty,
PICKTHAL: Outcast, and theirs is a perpetual torment;
SHAKIR: Being driven off, and for them is a perpetual chastisement,
037.010
YUSUFALI: Except such as snatch away something by stealth, and they are pursued by a flaming fire, of piercing brightness.
PICKTHAL: Save him who snatcheth a fragment, and there pursueth him a piercing flame.
SHAKIR: Except him who snatches off but once, then there follows him a brightly shining flame.
037.011
YUSUFALI: Just ask their opinion: are they the more difficult to create, or the (other) beings We have created? Them have We created out of a sticky clay!
PICKTHAL: Then ask them (O Muhammad): Are they stronger as a creation, or those (others) whom we have created? Lo! We created them of plastic clay.
SHAKIR: Then ask them whether they are stronger in creation or those (others) whom We have created. Surely We created them of firm clay.
037.012
YUSUFALI: Truly dost thou marvel, while they ridicule,
PICKTHAL: Nay, but thou dost marvel when they mock
SHAKIR: Nay! you wonder while they mock,
037.013
YUSUFALI: And, when they are admonished, pay no heed,-
PICKTHAL: And heed not when they are reminded,
SHAKIR: And when they are reminded, they mind not,
037.014
YUSUFALI: And, when they see a Sign, turn it to mockery,
PICKTHAL: And seek to scoff when they behold a portent.
SHAKIR: And when they see a sign they incite one another to scoff,
037.015
YUSUFALI: And say, "This is nothing but evident sorcery!
PICKTHAL: And they say: Lo! this is mere magic;
SHAKIR: And they say: This is nothing but clear magic:
037.016
YUSUFALI: "What! when we die, and become dust and bones, shall we (then) be raised up (again)
PICKTHAL: When we are dead and have become dust and bones, shall we then, forsooth, be raised (again)?
SHAKIR: What! when we are dead and have become dust and bones, shall we then certainly be raised,
Name
The name is derived from the word was saaffat with which the Surah begins.
Period of Revelation
The subject matter and the style show that this Surah probably was sent down in the middle of the Makkan period, or perhaps in the last stage of the middle Makkan period. The style clearly indicates that antagonism is raging strong in the background and the Holy Prophet and his Companions are passing through very difficult and discouraging circumstances.
Subject Matter and Theme
The disbelievers of Makkah have been severely warned for their attitude of mockery and derision with which they were responding to the Holy Prophet's message of Tauhid and the Hereafter and for their utter refusal to accept and acknowledge his claim to Prophethood. In the end, they have been plainly warned that the Prophet whom they are mocking and ridiculing will overwhelm them in spite of their power and self and they will find the army of Allah encamping in the very courtyards of their houses (vv. 171-179. This notice was given at a time when there appeared no chance whatever of the Holy Prophet's success and triumph. The Muslims (who have been called Allah's army in these verses) were being made the target of severe persecution. Three- fourth of their population had already emigrated and hardly 40 to 50 of the Companions were left with the Holy Prophet in Makkah who were experiencing all sorts of the excesses with utter helplessness. Under such circumstances, in view of the apparent conditions, no one could believe that the Holy Prophet and the handful of his ill equipped Companions would ultimately attain dominance. The people rather thought that the new movement would end and be buried in the ravines of Makkah. But hardly 15 to 16 years had passed when on the conquest of Makkah precisely the same thing happened of which the disbelievers had been forewarned.
Along with administering warnings, Allah in this Surah has done full justice also to the theme of inducement and instruction in a balanced way. Brief but impressive arguments have been given about the validity of the doctrines of Tauhid and the Hereafter. Criticism has been made of the creed of the mushrikin to show the absurdity of their beliefs; they have been informed of the evil consequences of their deviations, which have been contrasted with the splendid results of the faith and righteous acts. Then, in continuation of the same, Precedents from past history have been cited to show how Allah had been treating His Prophets and their followers : how He has been favoring His faithful servants and punishing their deniers and rejectors.
Originally taken from: http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/quran/maududi/mau37.html