Nor do these await aught but a single cry, there being no delay in it. 15 They say: "Our Lord! hasten to us our sentence (even) before the Day of Account!" 16 (O Prophet), bear with patience what they say, and call to mind Our servant David, who was endowed with great strength and who constantly turned (to Allah). 17 Surely We made the mountains to sing the glory (of Allah) in unison with him at the evening and the sunrise, 18 and the birds, too, in their flocks, and turn again and again to celebrating Allah's glory. 19 And We strengthened his kingdom and We gave him wisdom and a clear judgment. 20 ۞ And has there come to you the story of the litigants, when they made an entry into the private chamber by ascending over the walls? 21 As they came upon David, and he shrank back in fear from them, they said: "Fear not! [We are but] two litigants. One of us has wronged the other: so judge thou between us with justice, and deviate not from what is right, and show [both of] us the way to rectitude. 22 This man here is my brother. He has ninety and nine ewes while I have only one. He demands that I should give him my ewe, and wants to get the better of me in argument." 23 David said, "He has certainly been unjust in demanding your ewe from you. Most partners transgress against each other except for the righteously striving believers who are very few." David realized that it was a test from Us so he asked forgiveness from his Lord and knelt down before him in repentance. ۩ 24 And thereupon We forgave him that [sin]: and verily, nearness to Us awaits him [in the life to come,] and the most beauteous of all goals! 25 We said, "David, We have given you mastery over the land. Judge fairly between people. Do not follow your desires, lest they divert you from God's path: those who wander from His path will have a severe punishment, because they ignore the Day of Reckoning." 26