They await but a single blast which will not be repeated. 15 They say: “Our Lord, hasten to us our share (of chastisement) before the Day of Reckoning.” 16 Bear patiently what they say, and remember Our servant David, the man of might; he was a penitent. 17 It was We that made the hills declare, in unison with him, Our Praises, at eventide and at break of day, 18 and the birds, duly mustered, every one to him reverting; 19 We strengthened his kingdom, giving him wisdom and the power of sound Judgment. 20 ۞ Have you heard of the litigants who jumped over the wall into his chamber? 21 When they entered in upon Dawood and he was frightened at them, they said: Fear not; two litigants, of whom one has acted wrongfully towards the other, therefore decide between us with justice, and do not act unjustly, 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 He said: Surely he has been unjust to you in demanding your ewe (to add) to his own ewes; and most surely most of the partners act wrongfully towards one another, save those who believe and do good, and very few are they; and Dawood was sure that We had tried him, so he sought the protection of his Lord and he fell down bowing and turned time after time (to Him). ۩ 24 So We forgave him. He has surely a high rank with Us and an excellent place of return. 25 [And We said:] "O David! Behold, We have made thee a [prophet and thus, Our] vicegerent on earth: judge, then, between men with justice, and do not follow vain desire, lest it lead thee astray from the path of God: verily, for those who go astray from the path of God there is suffering severe in store for having forgotten the Day of Reckoning!" 26