AND CALL to mind, through this divine writ, Mary. Lo! She withdrew from her family to an eastern place 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 take refuge in the All-merciful from thee! 18 He said: "Nay, I am only a messenger from thy Lord, (to announce) to thee the gift of a holy son. 19 She said: in what wise shall there be a boy unto me, whereas not a human being hath touched me, nor have I been a harlot? 20 "Even so" he replied, "as such your Lord has said: 'Easy it is for Me. And We shall make him a sign to mankind and a mercy from Us. It is a matter decreed.'" 21 ۞ So she conceived him, and withdrew with him to a distant place. 22 And the pangs of childbirth drove her unto the trunk of the palm-tree. She said: Oh, would that I had died ere this and had become a thing of naught, forgotten! 23 (The angel) Therefore called her from below her, “Do not grieve – your Lord has made a river flow below you.” 24 Shake the trunk of the date-palm tree, and it will drop ripe dates for you. 25 Eat, then, and drink, and let thine eye be gladdened! And if thou shouldst see any human being, convey this unto him: 'Behold, abstinence from speech have I vowed unto the Most Gracious; hence, I may not speak today to any mortal. 26 Carrying her child, she brought him to her people. They said, "O Mary, you have indeed done something terrible! 27 O sister of Aaron! Thy father was not a wicked man nor was thy mother a harlot. 28 Mary pointed to the child then; but they said, 'How shall we speak to one who is still in the cradle, a little child?' 29 He (the baby) said: 'I am the worshiper of Allah. Allah 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 will die, and the day I will be raised up alive." 33 This is Jesus, the son of Mary; and this is the truth about him concerning which they are in doubt. 34 It is not conceivable that God should have taken unto Himself a son: limitless is He in His glory! When He wills a thing to be, He but says unto it "Be" - and it is! 35 (Jesus had said): "Indeed Allah is my Lord and your Lord, so serve Him alone. This is the Straight Way." 36 The sects among them differ: but woe unto the disbelievers from the meeting of an awful Day. 37 (Muhammad), how clearly they will hear and see on the day when they will be brought into Our presence. Today the wrong doers are in manifest error. 38 Warn them of the woeful day when the final decree will be issued; they are neglectful and faithless. 39 Lo! We, only We, inherit the earth and all who are thereon, and unto Us they are returned. 40