they have only to wait for one single blast [of punishment]: it shall not be delayed by one whit. 15 And they said, “Our Lord! Give us our share quickly, before the Day of Reckoning.” 16 [But] bear thou with patience whatever they may say, and remember Our servant David, him who was endowed with [so much] inner strength! He, verily, would always turn unto Us: 17 Indeed, We subjected the mountains [to praise] with him, exalting [Allah] in the [late] afternoon and [after] sunrise. 18 and the birds, too, in flocks, all turned to Him. 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 went in unto Da-ud, he was frightened at them. They said: fear not we are two contending parties; one of us hath oppressed the other, so judge between us with truth, and be not iniquitious, and guide us unto the even path. 22 Verily, this my brother (in religion) has ninety nine ewes, while I have (only) one ewe, and he says: "Hand it over to me, and he overpowered me in speech." 23 He (David) replied: 'He has without doubt wronged you in seeking to add your ewe to his sheep. Many intermixers wrong one another; except those who believe, and do good works, and they are few indeed' David realized that We had tried him and sought the forgiveness of his Lord and fell down, prostrate and repented. ۩ 24 So, We forgave him that, and he has a near place with Us and a fine return. 25 o Dawood! surely We have made you a ruler in the land; so judge between men with justice and do not follow desire, lest it should lead you astray from the path of Allah; (as for) those who go astray from the path of Allah, they shall surely have a severe punishment because they forgot the day of reckoning. 26