they have only to wait for one single blast [of punishment]: it shall not be delayed by one whit. 15 They say: 'Our Lord, hasten to us our share before the Day of Recompense' 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 We subjugated the chiefs (of tribes) to struggle day and night with him, 18 and the birds, too, in their flocks, and turn again and again to celebrating Allah's glory. 19 We made his kingdom strong and gave him Al-Hikmah (Prophethood, etc.) and sound judgement in speech and decision. 20 ۞ Have you heard of the litigants who jumped over the wall into his chamber? 21 When they came before David, he was frightened of them. "Do not be afraid," they said. "The two of us are disputing the wrong one has done the other. So judge between us with equity, and do not be unjust, and guide us to the right path. 22 Lo! this my brother hath ninety and nine ewes while I had one ewe; and he said: Entrust it to me, and he conquered me in speech. 23 Said he, 'Assuredly he has wronged thee in asking for thy ewe in addition to his sheep; and indeed many intermixers do injury one against the other, save those who believe, and do deeds of righteousness -- and how few they are!' And David thought that We had only tried him; therefore he sought forgiveness of his Lord, and he fell down, bowing, and he repented. ۩ 24 So We forgave him that; and indeed, for him is nearness to Us and a good place of return. 25 (We said to him): “O David, We have appointed you vicegerent on earth. Therefore, rule among people with justice and do not follow (your) desire lest it should lead you astray from Allah's Path. Allah's severe chastisement awaits those who stray away from Allah's Path, for they had forgotten the Day of Reckoning. 26