The people did not become divided into sects until after knowledge had come to them – out of jealous animosity between themselves. And if not for a word that preceded from your Lord [postponing the penalty] until a specified time, it would have been concluded between them. And those who were made to inherit the Scripture after them are verily in hopeless doubt concerning it.
Meaning:-
animosity: bitterness, dislike, hate
Precede: to go before, as in place, order, rank, importance, or time.