1. Surah Al Fatihah

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ (٥)

1: 5.     Thee do we worship, and Thine aid we seek.

C21. On realizing in our souls God's love and care, His grace and mercy, and His power and justice (as Ruler of the Day of Judgment), the immediate result is that we bend in the act of worship, and see both our shortcomings and His all-sufficient power. 

The emphatic form means that not only do we reach the position of worshipping Allah and asking for His help, but we worship Him alone and ask for His aid only. For there is none other than He worthy of our devotion and able to help us. 

The plural "we" indicates that we associate ourselves with all who seek Allah, thus strengthening ourselves and strengthening them in a fellowship of faith.

Other versions:

1: 5

Asad Thee alone do we worship; and unto Thee alone do we turn for aid.

Yusuf Ali Thee do we worship and Thine aid we seek.

Pickthall Thee (alone) we worship; Thee alone we ask for help.

Transliteration Iyya_ka na'budu wa iyya_ka nasta'in(u).

2. Surah Al Baqarah

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

وَإِذْ أَخَذْنَا مِيثَاقَ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ لاَ تَعْبُدُونَ إِلاَّ اللّهَ...

2: 83. And remember We took a Covenant from the children of Israel (to this effect): worship none but Allah;

C87. So far from the Covenant being of the kind you suggest in 2:80 the real Covenant is about the moral law, which is set out in 2:83.

This moral law is universal and if you break it no privileges will lighten your punishment or help you in any way (2:86).

"Speak fair to the people" not only means outward courtesy from the leaders to the meanest among the people, but the protection of the people from being exploited, deceived, defrauded, or doped with things to lull their intelligence.

... وَبِالْوَالِدَيْنِ إِحْسَاناً وَذِي الْقُرْبَى وَالْيَتَامَى وَالْمَسَاكِينِ...

treat with kindness your parents and kindred, and orphans and those in need;

... وَقُولُواْ لِلنَّاسِ حُسْناً وَأَقِيمُواْ الصَّلاَةَ وَآتُواْ الزَّكَاةَ...

speak fair to the people; be steadfast in prayer; and practice regular charity.

... ثُمَّ تَوَلَّيْتُمْ إِلاَّ قَلِيلاً مِّنكُمْ وَأَنتُم مِّعْرِضُونَ ﴿٨٣﴾

Then did ye turn back, except a few among you, and ye backslide (even now).

Other versions:

2: 83 [al-Baqarah, Medina 89 ]

Asad And Lo! We accepted this solemn pledge from [you], the Children of Israel (note 66): “You shall worship none but God; and you shall do good unto your parents and kinsfolk, and the orphans, and the poor; and you shall speak unto all people in a kindly way; and you shall be constant in prayer; and you shall spend in charity.” And yet, save for a few of you, you turned away: for you are obstinate folk (note 68)!

Yusuf Ali And remember We took a covenant from the children of Israel (to this effect): worship none but Allah; treat with kindness your parents and kindred and orphans and those in need; speak fair to the people; be steadfast in prayer; and practice regular charity. Then did ye turn back except a few among you and ye backslide (even now).

Pickthall And (remember) when We made a covenant with the Children of Israel, (saying): Worship none save Allah (only), and be good to parents and to kindred and to orphans and the needy, and speak kindly to mankind; and establish worship and pay the poor due. Then, after that, ye slid back, save a few of you, being averse.

Transliteration Wa iz akhazna_ misa_qa bani isra_'ila ala_ ta'budu_na illalla_ha wa bil wa_lidaini ihsa_naw wa zil qurba_ wal yata_ma_ wal masa_kini wa qu_lu_ linna_si husnaw wa aqimus sala_ta wa a_tuz zaka_h(ta), summa tawallaitum ilala_ qalilam minkum wa antum mu'ridu_n(a).