AND CALL to mind, through this divine writ, Mary. Lo! She withdrew from her family to an eastern place 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 She said, “I seek the refuge of the Most Gracious from you – if you fear God.” 18 He said, “I am indeed one sent by your Lord; so that I may give you a chaste son.” 19 She said: How can I have a son when no mortal hath touched me, neither have I been unchaste? 20 "Even so" he replied, "as such your Lord has said: 'Easy it is for Me. And We shall make him a sign to mankind and a mercy from Us. It is a matter decreed.'" 21 ۞ So she conceived him, and she withdrew with him to a remote place. 22 And the pains of childbirth drove her to the trunk of a palm-tree: She cried (in her anguish): "Ah! would that I had died before this! would that I had been a thing forgotten and out of sight!" 23 But a voice called out to her from below, "Do not despair. Your Lord has provided a brook that runs at your feet, 24 Shake also to thee the palm-trunk, and there shall come tumbling upon thee dates fresh and ripe. 25 Eat, drink, and rejoice. Should you see a person going by, tell him that on this day you have promised the Beneficent God to fast and never talk to any human being." 26 And in time she returned to her people, carrying the child with her. They said: "O Mary! Thou hast indeed done an amazing thing! 27 Aaron's sister, your father was not a bad man nor was your mother unchaste". 28 Then she pointed to him. They said: "How can we talk to one who is a child in the cradle?" 29 The child proclaimed, “I am Allah’s bondman; He has given me the Book and made me a Herald of the Hidden (a Prophet).” 30 And He hath made me blest wheresoever I may be, and enjoined on me the prayer and the poor-rate as long as I am alive. 31 He has made me dutiful toward my mother, and He has not made me arrogant or wicked. 32 There was peace on me the day I was born, and will be the day I die, and on the day I will be raised from the dead." 33 This was Jesus, son of Mary: A true account they contend about. 34 Allah is not one to take to Himself a son. Hallowed be He! whensoever He decreeth an affair he only Saith to it: be, and it becometh. 35 (Jesus had said): "Indeed Allah is my Lord and your Lord, so serve Him alone. This is the Straight Way." 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 But warn them of the Day of Distress, when the matter will be determined: for (behold,) they are negligent and they do not believe! 39 Verily We! We shall inherit the earth and whatsoever is thereon: and unto Us they shall be returned. 40