they have only to wait for one single blast [of punishment]: it shall not be delayed by one whit. 15 And they say: our Lord! hasten our portion unto us before the Day of Reckoning 16 Bear with their words patiently. Remember Our servant David, a man of strength who always turned to Us: 17 We subjugated the chiefs (of tribes) to struggle day and night with him, 18 And the birds were assembled, all with him repeating [praises]. 19 And We strengthened his kingdom and gave him wisdom and discernment in speech. 20 ۞ And hath the tidings of the contending parties reached thee, when they walled the apartment? 21 When they entered in upon Dawood and he was frightened at them, they said: Fear not; two litigants, of whom one has acted wrongfully towards the other, therefore decide between us with justice, and do not act unjustly, 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 Thereupon We forgave him his shortcoming and indeed (an exalted position of) nearness awaits him, and an excellent resort. 25 “O Dawud! We have indeed appointed you as a Viceroy in the earth, therefore judge between mankind with the truth, and do not follow desire for it will lead you astray from Allah’s path; indeed for those who stray away from Allah’s path is a severe punishment, because they forgot the Day of Reckoning.” 26