Although they were, before it was sent down upon them - before that, in despair.
The Saheeh International Quran Translation
وَإِن كَانُوا۟ مِن قَبْلِ أَن يُنَزَّلَ عَلَيْهِم مِّن قَبْلِهِۦ لَمُبْلِسِينَAlthough they were, before it was sent down upon them - before that, in despair.