And mention thou in the Book Maryam, what time she retired from her people to a place eastward. 16 So there she screened herself from them; We therefore sent Our Spirit towards her – he appeared before her in the form of a healthy man. (Angel Jibreel – peace be upon him.) 17 "I seek refuge in the Merciful from you, if you fear Him," she said. 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, “How can I bear a son? No man has ever touched me, nor am I of poor conduct!” 20 [The angel] replied, "So shall it be; your Lord says, 'This is easy for Me; and We shall make him a sign to people and a blessing, from Us. This has been decreed.'" 21 ۞ Then she conceived him and withdrew with him to a far-off place. 22 The pains of labour drove her to the trunk of a date-palm. She said, "Oh, if only I had died before this and passed into oblivion!" 23 He called from below to her: 'Do not sorrow, look, your Lord has provided a rivulet below you, 24 “And shake the trunk of the palm-tree towards you – ripe fresh dates will fall upon you.” (This was a miracle – the date palm was dry and it was winter season.) 25 So eat and drink and be consoled. And if thou meetest any mortal, say: Lo! I have vowed a fast unto the Beneficent, and may not speak this day to any mortal. 26 So carrying him in her arms, she brought him to her people; they said, “O Maryam, you have indeed committed a great evil!” 27 O sister of Aaron! Thy father was not a wicked man nor was thy mother a harlot. 28 But she pointed to the babe. They said: "How can we talk to one who is a child in the cradle?" 29 He said: Surely I am a servant of Allah; He has given me the Book and made me a prophet; 30 And blessed me wherever I may be, and enjoined on me worship and zakat for as long as I live, 31 and has made me dutiful to my mother. He has not made me oppressive, nor bereft of God's blessings. 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 That is Jesus, the son of Mary - the word of truth about which they are in dispute. 34 Allah is not one to take to Himself a son. Hallowed be He! whensoever He decreeth an affair he only Saith to it: be, and it becometh. 35 And lo! Allah is my Lord and your Lord. So serve Him. That is the right path. 36 Yet the sectarians differed among themselves. Alas for the unbelievers when they see the Terrible Day! 37 See and hear them on the Day they come unto Us! yet the evil-doers are today in error manifest. 38 And warn thou them of the Day of Sighing when the affair shall have been decreed while yet they are in negligence and are not believing. 39 Ultimately, We shall inherit the earth and whatever is on it; to Us shall they be returned. 40