And mention, [O Muhammad], in the Book [the story of] Mary, when she withdrew from her family to a place toward the east. 16 We sent to her Our Spirit (Gabriel) in the resemblance of a perfect human. 17 Mary exclaimed: "I surely take refuge from you with the Most Compassionate Lord, if you are at all God-fearing." 18 [The angel] answered: "I am but a messenger of thy Sustainer, [who says,] 'I shall bestow upon thee the gift of a son endowed with purity.'" 19 "How can I have a son," she said, "when no man has touched me, nor am I sinful?" 20 He said: Even so; your Lord says: It is easy to Me: and that We may make him a sign to men and a mercy from Us, and it is a matter which has been decreed. 21 ۞ So she conceived him and withdrew with him to a distant place. 22 And the throes (of childbirth) compelled her to betake herself to the trunk of a palm tree. She said: Oh, would that I had died before this, and had been a thing quite forgotten! 23 But a voice called out to her from below, "Do not despair. Your Lord has provided a brook that runs at your feet, 24 and if you shake the trunk of this palm-tree, it will drop fresh ripe dates on you. 25 Eat and drink and rejoice. And if you see any human being say, 'I have vowed a fast [of silence] to the Gracious God, and will not speak with any human being today.'" 26 She came to her nation, carrying him; and they said: 'O Mary, you have committed a monstrous thing. 27 Aaron's sister, your father was not a bad man nor was your mother unchaste". 28 So she pointed to him. They said, "How can we speak to one who is in the cradle a child?" 29 He said, 'Lo, I am God's servant; God has given me the Book, and made me a Prophet. 30 He made me to be blessed wherever I am, and He has charged me with prayer and charity for as long as I shall live. 31 And duteous unto my mother, and hath not made me high-handed, unblest. 32 Blessed was I on the day I was born, and blessed I shall be on the day I die and on the day I am raised to life again." 33 This is Eisa (Jesus), the son of Maryam; a true statement, in which they doubt. 34 it does not befit the majesty of God that He should beget a son. Glory be to Him! He is far above that: when He decrees something, He says only, "Be!" and it is. 35 Verily Allah is my Lord and your Lord: Him therefore serve ye: this is a Way that is straight. 36 Then groups among them differed; so ruin is for the disbelievers from the witnessing of a Great Day. 37 How well they will hear and see on the Day when they come before Us! The evildoers are today in clear error. 38 Warn them of that Day of Anguish, when the matter is determined whilst heedlessly they disbelieve. 39 Verily We! We shall inherit the earth and whatsoever is thereon: and unto Us they shall be returned. 40