These (today) only wait for a single mighty Blast, which (when it comes) will brook no delay. 15 They say: “Our Lord, hasten to us our share (of chastisement) before the Day of Reckoning.” 16 Have patience at what they say, and remember our servant David, the man of strength: for he ever turned (to Allah). 17 Verily We so subjected the mountains that they should hallow Us with him at nightfall and sunrise. 18 and the birds, duly mustered, every one to him reverting; 19 And We made his dominion strong and vouchsafed him wisdom and decisive speech. 20 ۞ And hath the tidings of the contending parties reached thee, when they walled the apartment? 21 When they went in unto Da-ud, he was frightened at them. They said: fear not we are two contending parties; one of us hath oppressed the other, so judge between us with truth, and be not iniquitious, and guide us unto the even path. 22 "Behold, this is my brother: he has ninety-nine ewes, whereas I have [only] one ewe - and yet he said, 'Make her over to me,' and forcibly prevailed against me in this [our] dispute." 23 David said, "He has certainly been unjust in demanding your ewe from you. Most partners transgress against each other except for the righteously striving believers who are very few." David realized that it was a test from Us so he asked forgiveness from his Lord and knelt down before him in repentance. ۩ 24 So We forgave him that; and lo! he had access to Our presence and a happy journey's end. 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