And mention thou in the Book Maryam, what time she retired from her people to a place eastward. 16 So she took a veil (to screen herself) from them; then We sent to her Our spirit, and there appeared to her a well-made man. 17 When she saw him, she said, "I seek refuge in the compassionate God from you; [do not come near] if you fear the Lord." 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 She said: in what wise shall there be a boy unto me, whereas not a human being hath touched me, nor have I been a harlot? 20 He said: even so! Thy Lord saith: it is with Me easy, and it is in order that We may make him a sign unto mankind and a mercy from Us, and it is an affair decreed. 21 ۞ When she conceived him she went away to a distant place. 22 Then the birth pangs drove her to the trunk of a palm-tree and she said: "Oh, would that I had died before this and had been all forgotten." 23 But the one that was below her called to her, 'Nay, do not sorrow; see, thy Lord has set below thee a rivulet. 24 and shake the trunk of this palmtree it will drop fresh ripe dates upon you. 25 Eat therefore, and drink, and be comforted; and if thou shouldst see any mortal, say, "I have vowed to the All-merciful a fast, and today I will not speak to any man. 26 Then she came to her people, carrying her baby. 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 Thereupon Mary pointed to the child. They exclaimed: "How can we speak to one who is in the cradle, a mere child?" 29 The child cried out: "Verily I am Allah's servant. He has granted me the Book and has made me a Prophet 30 He has made me blessed wherever I may be, and has enjoined upon me prayer and almsgiving throughout my life. 31 And [made me] dutiful to my mother, and He has not made me a wretched tyrant. 32 Peace on me the day I was born, and the day I die, and the day I shall be raised alive! 33 Such was Jesus, son of Mary: (this is) a statement of the truth concerning which they doubt. 34 It is not [befitting] for Allah to take a son; exalted is He! When He decrees an affair, He only says to it, "Be," and it is. 35 And lo! Allah is my Lord and your Lord. So serve Him. That is the right path. 36 And yet, the sects [that follow the Bible] are at variance among themselves [about the nature of Jesus Woe, then, unto all who deny the truth when that awesome Day will appear! 37 See and hear them on the Day they come unto Us! yet the evil-doers are today in error manifest. 38 Warn them of that Day of Anguish, when the matter is determined whilst heedlessly they disbelieve. 39 Verily! We will inherit the earth and whatsoever is thereon. And to Us they all shall be returned, 40