(O Muhammad), recite in the Book the account of Mary, when she withdrew from her people to a place towards the east; 16 and she took a veil apart from them; then We sent unto her Our Spirit that presented himself to her a man without fault. 17 Mary exclaimed: "I surely take refuge from you with the Most Compassionate Lord, if you are at all God-fearing." 18 (The angel) said: "I am only a Messenger from your Lord, (to announce) to you the gift of a righteous son." 19 Said she: "How can I have a son when no man has ever touched me? - for, never have I been a loose woman!" 20 "Even so" he replied, "as such your Lord has said: 'Easy it is for Me. And We shall make him a sign to mankind and a mercy from Us. It is a matter decreed.'" 21 ۞ And she conceived him, and she withdrew with him to a far 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 Then (a voice) called to her from below: "Grieve not; your Lord has made a rivulet gush forth right below you. 24 "And shake towards thyself the trunk of the palm-tree: It will let fall fresh ripe dates upon thee. 25 Eat therefore, and drink, and be comforted; and if thou shouldst see any mortal, say, "I have vowed to the All-merciful a fast, and today I will not speak to any man. 26 She took him to her people and they said, "Mary, this is indeed an strange thing. 27 O sister of Aaron, your father was not a man of evil, nor was your mother unchaste." 28 But she pointed to the babe. They said: "How can we talk to one who is a child in the cradle?" 29 [But] he said, "I am God's servant. He has given me the Book and made me a prophet; 30 He has made me blessed wherever I may be, and has enjoined upon me prayer and almsgiving throughout my life. 31 "(He) hath made me kind to my mother, and not overbearing or miserable; 32 "So peace is on me the day I was born, the day that I die, and the day that I shall be raised up to life (again)"! 33 Such is 'Iesa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary). (it is) a statement of truth, about which they doubt (or dispute). 34 It is not for God to take a son unto Him. Glory be to Him! When He decrees a thing, He but says to it 'Be,' and it is. 35 And surely Allah is my Lord and your Lord, therefore serve Him; this is the right path. 36 But the parties have fallen into variance among themselves; then woe to those who disbelieve for the scene of a dreadful day. 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 anguish when the case hath been decided. Now they are in a state of carelessness, and they believe not. 39 For We shall inherit the earth and all that are on it. To Us, they shall return. 40