AND CALL to mind, through this divine writ, Mary. Lo! She withdrew from her family to an eastern place 16 out of her people's sight. We sent Our Spirit to her, who stood before her in the shape of a well formed human being. 17 She said, “I seek the refuge of the Most Gracious from you – if you fear God.” 18 He said, "I am only the messenger of your Lord to give you [news of] a pure boy." 19 She said: "How can I have a son, when no man has touched me, nor am I unchaste?" 20 [The angel] replied, "So shall it be; your Lord says, 'This is easy for Me; and We shall make him a sign to people and a blessing, from Us. This has been decreed.'" 21 ۞ Thereupon she carried him, and retired to a far off place. 22 Then the birth pangs drove her to the trunk of a palm-tree and she said: "Oh, would that I had died before this and had been all forgotten." 23 He called from below to her: 'Do not sorrow, look, your Lord has provided a rivulet below you, 24 And shake towards you the trunk of the palmtree, it will drop on you fresh ripe dates: 25 So eat and drink and cool your eyes; and if you see any person say to him: 'Verily I have vowed a fast to the Most Compassionate Lord, and so I shall not speak to anyone today.' " 26 At length she brought the (babe) to her people, carrying him (in her arms). They said: "O Mary! truly an amazing thing hast thou brought! 27 O sister of Aaron, your father was never an evil man, nor was your mother unchaste' 28 Mary pointed to the child then; but they said, 'How shall we speak to one who is still in the cradle, a little child?' 29 The child proclaimed, “I am Allah’s bondman; He has given me the Book and made me a Herald of the Hidden (a Prophet).” 30 "And He hath made me blessed wheresoever I be, and hath enjoined on me Prayer and Charity as long as I live; 31 And dutiful to my mother, and He has not made me insolent, unblessed; 32 And peace on me on the day I was born, and on the day I die, and on the day I am raised to life. 33 This is Eisa (Jesus), the son of Maryam; a true statement, in which they doubt. 34 it does not befit the majesty of God that He should beget a son. Glory be to Him! He is far above that: when He decrees something, He says only, "Be!" and it is. 35 And said Eisa, “Indeed Allah is my Lord and your Lord – therefore worship Him; this is the Straight Path.” 36 Then the sects have differed among themselves; so woe to those who disbelieve in the witness of a Day Mighty! 37 How keenly would they hear and see when they come before Us then, even though today the evil-doers are lost in palpable error. 38 And warn them of the Day of Regret when the matter will have been decided; and they are in neglect, and they do not accept faith. 39 Verily We! We shall inherit the earth and whatsoever is thereon: and unto Us they shall be returned. 40