(After reading the letter) the Queen said: "Nobles, let me have your counsel in this matter for I make no firm decision without you." 32 They replied, "We have great power and valor. You are the commander, so decide as you like". 33 She said: 'When kings enter a village, they ruin it and humiliate its nobles. And this they will do. 34 And surely I am going to send a present to them, and shall wait to see what (answer) do the apostles bring back. 35 But when he came to Solomon he said, 'What, would you succour me with wealth, and what God gave me is better than what He has given you? Nay, but instead you rejoice in your gift! 36 Return unto them. We verily shall come unto them with hosts that they cannot resist, and we shall drive them out from thence with shame, and they will be abased. 37 He said (to his own men): "Ye chiefs! which of you can bring me her throne before they come to me in submission?" 38 Said an 'Ifrit, of the Jinns: "I will bring it to thee before thou rise from thy council: indeed I have full strength for the purpose, and may be trusted." 39 The one who had some knowledge of the Book said: I shall bring it unto thee ere thy eye twinkleth. Then when he saw it placed before him, he said: this is of the grace of my Lord that He may prove me whether I give thanks or am ungrateful. Whosoever giveth thanks he only giveth thanks for his own soul; and whosoever is ungrateful then verily my Lord is Self-Sufficient, Munificent. 40 (Then) he said: 'Let her throne be disguised, so that we can see whether she is guided or if she is among those who are not guided' 41 So, when she came, it was said (unto her): Is thy throne like this? She said: (It is) as though it were the very one. And (Solomon said): We were given the knowledge before her and we had surrendered (to Allah). 42 but that she served, apart from God, barred her, for she was of a people of unbelievers.' 43 She was asked to enter the lofty Palace: but when she saw it, she thought it was a lake of water, and she (tucked up her skirts), uncovering her legs. He said: "This is but a palace paved smooth with slabs of glass." She said: "O my Lord! I have indeed wronged my soul: I do (now) submit (in Islam), with Solomon, to the Lord of the Worlds." 44