And mention thou in the Book Maryam, what time she retired from her people to a place eastward. 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 the refuge of the Most Gracious from you – if you fear God.” 18 He said: I am but a messenger from thy Lord that I may bestow on thee a boy pure. 19 She said, 'How shall I have a son whom no mortal has touched, neither have I been unchaste?' 20 [The angel] answered: "Thus it is; [but] thy Sustainer says, 'This is easy for Me; and [thou shalt have a son,] so that We might make him a symbol unto mankind and an act of grace from US. And it was a thing decreed [by God]: 21 ۞ So she conceived him, and she went away with him to a far 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 Then (the child) called out to her from beneath her: Grieve not, surely your Lord has made a stream to flow beneath you; 24 Shake the trunk of the date-palm tree, and it will drop ripe dates for you. 25 So eat and drink and refresh the eye. Then if you see any mortal, say: Surely I have vowed a fast to the Beneficent Allah, so I shall not speak to any man today. 26 Then she brought him to her own folk, carrying him. They said: O Mary! Thou hast come with an amazing thing. 27 O sister of Haroun! your father was not a bad man, nor, was your mother an unchaste woman. 28 But she pointed to the babe. They said: "How can we talk to one who is a child in the cradle?" 29 [But] he said, "I am God's servant. He has given me the Book and made me a prophet; 30 and made me blessed wherever I may be; and He has enjoined upon me prayer and charity as long as I live, 31 He has commanded me to be good to my parents and has not made me an arrogant rebellious person. 32 Peace be upon me, the day I was born, and the day I die, and the day I am raised up alive!' 33 Such was the true story of Jesus, the son of Mary, about which they dispute bitterly. 34 It befitteth not (the Majesty of) Allah that He should take unto Himself a son. Glory be to Him! When He decreeth a thing, He saith unto it only: Be! and it is. 35 And surely Allah is my Lord and your Lord, therefore serve Him; this is the right path. 36 Yet different groups differed among themselves. How awful it will be for those who have rejected the truth when a dreadful Day arrives! 37 How keenly would they hear and see when they come before Us then, even though today the evil-doers are lost in palpable error. 38 And warn them of the Day of anguish when the case hath been decided. Now they are in a state of carelessness, and they believe not. 39 Lo! We, only We, inherit the earth and all who are thereon, and unto Us they are returned. 40