Relate in the Book (the story of) Mary, when she withdrew from her family to a place in the East. 16 and drew a curtain, screening herself from people whereupon We sent to her Our spirit and he appeared to her as a well-shaped man. 17 She said: "I seek refuge from thee to (Allah) Most Gracious: (come not near) if thou dost fear Allah." 18 He replied: "I am only a messenger from your Lord (sent) to bestow a good son on you." 19 She said: "How shall I have a son, seeing that no man has touched me, and I am not unchaste?" 20 He said: "So (it will be), your Lord said: 'That is easy for Me (Allah): And (We wish) to appoint him as a sign to mankind and a mercy from Us (Allah), and it is a matter (already) decreed, (by Allah). 21 ۞ She conceived the child and retreated with him to a distant and solitary 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 But a voice called out to her from below, "Do not despair. Your Lord has provided a brook that runs at your feet, 24 Shake the trunk of the date-palm tree, and it will drop ripe dates for you. 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 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 not a wicked person, nor your mother sinful!" 28 But she pointed towards him. "How can we talk to one," they said, "who is only an infant 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 And (hath made me) dutiful toward her who bore me, and hath not made me arrogant, unblest. 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 Such was Jesus, son of Mary: (this is) a statement of the truth concerning which they doubt. 34 It beseems not Allah that He should take to Himself a son, glory to be Him; when He has decreed a matter He only says to it "Be," and it is. 35 (Baby Jesus said), "Worship God who is my Lord as well as yours. This is the straight path". 36 (The followers of Jesus) turned themselves into quarrelling sects. The disbelievers shall face a woeful condition on the great Day (of Judgment). 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 Warn them of the woeful day when the final decree will be issued; they are neglectful and faithless. 39 It is We Who will inherit the earth, and all beings thereon: to Us will they all be returned. 40