And they [who now deny the truth - they, too,] have but to wait for one single blast [of punishment to overtake them]: it shall not be delayed a whit. 15 They say: "Our Lord! hasten to us our sentence (even) before the Day of Account!" 16 Bear patiently with what they say, and remember Our worshiper David, a man of might. He was ever turning in repentance. 17 We made the mountains join him in glorifying Us at sunset and sunrise; 18 and the birds, too, gathered each obedient to him. 19 And We made his dominion strong and vouchsafed him wisdom and decisive speech. 20 ۞ Has the story of the litigants reached you -- of those who entered his private chambers by climbing over the wall? 21 As they came upon David -- and he was frightened of them -- they said: “Be not afraid. We are just two litigants: one of us has committed excess against the other. So judge rightly between us, and be not unjust; and guide us to the Right Way. 22 Indeed this, my brother, has ninety-nine ewes, and I have one ewe; so he said, 'Entrust her to me,' and he overpowered me in speech." 23 David said: “He has certainly wronged you in seeking to add your ewe to his ewes; and indeed many who live together commit excesses, one to the other, except those that believe and act righteously; and they are but few.” (While so saying) David realized that it is We Who have put him to test; therefore, he sought the forgiveness of his Lord, and fell down, bowing and penitently turning (to Him). ۩ 24 So We forgave him. He has surely a high rank with Us and an excellent 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