"We will gradually lead them [to punishment] from where they do not know" up to His saying: "is firm"—this is like His saying:
"Until, when they were rejoiced in what they were given, We seized them suddenly" (the verse).
The meaning of "I grant them respite" is: I prolong [their time] for them; and the meaning of "My plan is firm" is: My punishment is severe.
﴿سَنَسْتَدْرِجُهُمْ مِنْ حَيْثُ لَا يعلمُونَ﴾ إِلَى قَوْله: ﴿متين﴾ هُوَ كَقَوْلِهِ:
﴿حَتَّى إِذَا فَرِحُوا بِمَا أُوتُوا أَخَذْنَاهُم بَغْتَة﴾ الْآيَة.
وَمعنى ﴿أملي لَهُم﴾: أُطِيلُ لَهُمْ، وَمَعْنَى (كَيْدِي مَتِينٌ): عَذَابي شَدِيد.
