(After reading the letter) the Queen said: "Nobles, let me have your counsel in this matter for I make no firm decision without you." 32 They said: We are possessors of strength and possessors of mighty prowess, and the command is yours, therefore see what you will command. 33 The Queen said: "When the kings enter a country they cause corruption in it and abase those of its people who are held in honour. This is what they are wont to do. 34 But I shall send them a gift and see what the messengers bring back' 35 But when he came to Solomon, he said: 'Is it wealth that you would give me, when Allah has given me that which is better than He has given to you? No, but instead you rejoice in your gift! 36 Go back to your people and we shall soon come there with an army which they will not be able to face. We shall drive them from their town, humble, and disgraced." 37 He said: "O chiefs! Which of you can bring me her throne before they come to me surrendering themselves in obedience?" 38 A powerful one from among the jinn said, "I will bring it to you before you rise from your place, and indeed, I am for this [task] strong and trustworthy." 39 The one who had some knowledge of the Book said: I shall bring it unto thee ere thy eye twinkleth. Then when he saw it placed before him, he said: this is of the grace of my Lord that He may prove me whether I give thanks or am ungrateful. Whosoever giveth thanks he only giveth thanks for his own soul; and whosoever is ungrateful then verily my Lord is Self-Sufficient, Munificent. 40 He said: disguise for her her throne, that we may see whether she be guided or be of those who are not guided. 41 So when she arrived, it was said [to her], "Is your throne like this?" She said, "[It is] as though it was it." [Solomon said], "And we were given knowledge before her, and we have been Muslims [in submission to Allah]. 42 She was (in fact) turned away by what she worshipped other than God, for she came of an unbelieving people. 43 Then she was bidden to enter the palace; but when she saw it, she thought it was a deep pool of water, and bared her legs. But Solomon explained, "It is just a palace paved with glass," and she said, "My Lord, I have wronged myself: now I submit myself along with Solomon, to God, the Lord of the Universe." 44