These are only awaiting for a single Cry, to which there is no delay. 15 They say: Our Lord! Hasten on for us our fate before the Day of Reckoning. 16 Bear with patience what they say, and remember Our votary David, man of strength. He surely turned to Us in penitence. 17 With him We had subjected the mountains that they join him in celebrating Allah's glory, evening and morning, 18 And the birds gathered together; all joined in singing with him. 19 We made his kingdom strong and gave him wisdom and decisive speech. 20 ۞ Has the news of the dispute reached you (Prophet Muhammad)? When they scaled the Sanctuary 21 As they came upon David -- and he was frightened of them -- they said: “Be not afraid. We are just two litigants: one of us has committed excess against the other. So judge rightly between us, and be not unjust; and guide us to the Right Way. 22 Behold, this is my brother; he has ninety-nine ewes and I have only one ewe.” And yet he said: “Give her into my charge,” and he got the better of me in argument. 23 David said, "He has certainly wronged you by demanding that your ewe be added to his ewes! Thus many partners wrong one another -- [all] save those who believe [in God] and do righteous deeds: but how few are they!" And [suddenly] David understood that We were only putting him to the test, and so he asked his Lord to forgive him his sins; he fell to his knees, and turned to Him in repentance. ۩ 24 So We forgave him that; and indeed, for him is nearness to Us and a good place of return. 25 [And We said:] "O David! Behold, We have made thee a [prophet and thus, Our] vicegerent on earth: judge, then, between men with justice, and do not follow vain desire, lest it lead thee astray from the path of God: verily, for those who go astray from the path of God there is suffering severe in store for having forgotten the Day of Reckoning!" 26