they have only to wait for one single blast [of punishment]: it shall not be delayed by one whit. 15 They say: "Our Lord! Hasten on for us our fate before the Day of Reckoning." 16 (Muhammad), bear patiently what they say and recall Our servant, David, who had strong hands and who was most repentant. 17 Lo! We subdued the hills to hymn the praises (of their Lord) with him at nightfall and sunrise, 18 We made the birds assemble around him in flocks. 19 And We made his dominion strong and vouchsafed him wisdom and decisive speech. 20 ۞ And hath the story of the litigants come unto thee? How they climbed the wall into the royal chamber; 21 When they entered upon David, so he feared them – they said, “Do not fear! We are two disputants, one of whom has wronged the other, therefore judge fairly between us and do not judge unjustly – and show us the right way.” 22 “This is my brother; he has ninety nine ewes and I have one ewe; and he now says ‘Give that one also to me’ – and he is very demanding in speech.” 23 (David) said: He hath wronged thee in demanding thine ewe in addition to his ewes, and lo! many partners oppress one another, save such as believe and do good works, and they are few. And David guessed that We had tried him, and he sought forgiveness of his Lord, and he bowed himself and fell down prostrate and repented. ۩ 24 So We forgave him that; and indeed, for him is nearness to Us and a good place of return. 25 'David, behold, We have appointed thee a viceroy in the earth; therefore judge between men justly, and follow not caprice, lest it lead thee astray from the way of God. Surely those who go astray from the way of God -- there awaits them a terrible chastisement, for that they have forgotten the Day of Reckoning.' 26