And you will never be able to be equal [in feeling] between wives, even if you should strive [to do so]. So do not incline completely [toward one] and leave another hanging.1 And if you amend [your affairs] and fear Allāh - then indeed, Allāh is ever Forgiving and Merciful.
Translation: Saheeh International (English)
1 Neither divorced nor enjoying the rights of marriage.
كَٱلۡمُعَلَّقَةِۚlike the suspended onekal-muʿalaqati
وَإِنAnd ifwa-in
تُصۡلِحُواْyou reconciletuṣ'liḥū
وَتَتَّقُواْand fear (Allah)watattaqū
فَإِنَّthen indeedfa-inna
ٱللَّهَAllahl-laha
كَانَiskāna
غَفُورٗاOft-Forgivingghafūran
رَّحِيمٗاMost Mercifulraḥīman
Tafsir
You, husbands, will not be able to be completely fair to your wives with respect to your affection, even if you tried to do so. This is due to circumstances and factors beyond your control. So do not incline fully away from the one you do not love and leave her like a woman suspended, who does not have a husband to fulfill her right and nor is she unmarried so that she may seek to marry another. If you set things right between yourselves, by giving the wife her due right and being mindful of Allah in that regard, then Allah will be Forgiving and Merciful towards you.