AND CALL to mind, through this divine writ, Mary. Lo! She withdrew from her family to an eastern place 16 and kept herself in seclusion from them. We sent her Our angel, who presented himself to her as a full-grown human being. 17 She said: "I seek refuge from thee to (Allah) Most Gracious: (come not near) if thou dost fear Allah." 18 [The angel] answered: "I am but a messenger of thy Sustainer, [who says,] 'I shall bestow upon thee the gift of a son endowed with purity.'" 19 She said, 'How shall I have a son whom no mortal has touched, neither have I been unchaste?' 20 He said, 'Even so thy Lord has said: "Easy is that for Me; and that We may appoint him a sign unto men and a mercy from Us; it is a thing decreed."' 21 ۞ So she conceived him, and she withdrew with him to a remote place. 22 And the pains of childbirth drove her to the trunk of a palm tree. She said, "Oh, I wish I had died before this and was in oblivion, forgotten." 23 Then [the babe 'Iesa (Jesus) or Jibrael (Gabriel)] cried unto her from below her, saying: "Grieve not! Your Lord has provided a water stream under you; 24 Shake the trunk of the palm-tree towards yourself and fresh and ripe dates shall fall upon you. 25 So eat and drink and be consoled. And if thou meetest any mortal, say: Lo! I have vowed a fast unto the Beneficent, and may not speak this day to any mortal. 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! Thy father was not a wicked man nor was thy mother a harlot. 28 Thereupon she pointed towards the child; they said, “How can we speak to an infant who is in the cradle?” 29 The child cried out: "Verily I am Allah's servant. He has granted me the Book and has made me a Prophet 30 “And He has made me blessed wherever I be; and ordained upon me prayer and charity, as long as I live.” 31 and likewise to cherish my mother; He has not made me arrogant, unprosperous. 32 Peace be upon me on the day I was born, and on the day I die; and on the day when I shall be raised up alive' 33 Such was Jesus, the son of Mary. That is the whole truth, about which they still dispute: 34 It is not befitting to (the majesty of) Allah that He should beget a son. Glory be to Him! when He determines a matter, He only says to it, "Be", and it is. 35 (Jesus only said:) "Surely God is my Lord and your Lord, so worship Him. This is the straight 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 well will they hear and see [the truth] on the Day when they come before Us! Today, however, these evildoers are obviously lost in error: 38 hence, warn them of [the coming of] the Day of Regrets, when everything will have been decided - for as yet they are heedless, and they do not believe [in it]. 39 Surely We shall inherit the earth and all that are upon it, and unto Us they shall be returned. 40