(O Muhammad), recite in the Book the account of Mary, when she withdrew from her people to a place towards the east; 16 out of her people's sight. We sent Our Spirit to her, who stood before her in the shape of a well formed human being. 17 She said, 'I take refuge in the All-merciful from thee! 18 He said, "I am only the messenger of your Lord to give you [news of] a pure boy." 19 She said, "How can I have a boy while no man has touched me and I have not been unchaste?" 20 He said, "Thus [it will be]; your Lord says, 'It is easy for Me, and We will make him a sign to the people and a mercy from Us. And it is a matter [already] decreed.' " 21 ۞ So she conceived him, and she went away with him to a far place. 22 And the pains of childbirth drove her to the trunk of a date-palm. She said: "Would that I had died before this, and had been forgotten and out of sight!" 23 Thereupon [a voice] called out to her from beneath that [palm-tree]: "Grieve not! Thy Sustainer has provided a rivulet [running] beneath thee; 24 Shake the trunk of the palm-tree towards yourself and fresh and ripe dates shall fall upon you. 25 So eat and drink thou, and cool thine eyes; and if thou beholdest the human beings anyone, say: verily I have vowed to the Compassionate a fast, so I shall not speak today to any human being. 26 At length she brought the (babe) to her people, carrying him (in her arms). They said: "O Mary! truly an amazing thing hast thou brought! 27 Sister of Aaron, your father was not an evil man, nor was your mother an unchaste woman!" 28 She pointed to the child. They said, "How shall we talk to someone who is a child in the cradle?" 29 He said, "I am the servant of God. He has given me the Book and has appointed me to be 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 and likewise to cherish my mother; He has not made me arrogant, unprosperous. 32 And peace be on me the day I was born and the day I die and the day I shall be raised up alive. 33 Such was the true story of Jesus, the son of Mary, about which they dispute bitterly. 34 It is not befitting to (the majesty of) Allah that He should beget a son. Glory be to Him! when He determines a matter, He only says to it, "Be", and it is. 35 (Baby Jesus said), "Worship God who is my Lord as well as yours. This is the straight path". 36 Then the sects have differed among themselves; so woe to those who disbelieve in the witness of a Day Mighty! 37 See and hear them on the Day they come unto Us! yet the evil-doers are today in error manifest. 38 Warn thou them of the day of anguish, when the matter shall be determined, and they yet heedless and unbelieving. 39 Ultimately, We shall inherit the earth and whatever is on it; to Us shall they be returned. 40