And mention, [O Muhammad], in the Book [the story of] Mary, when she withdrew from her family to a place toward the east. 16 and she took a veil apart from them; then We sent unto her Our Spirit that presented himself to her a man without fault. 17 (And when she saw him) she said: 'I take refuge in the Merciful from you! If you are fearful' 18 He said: "I am just a message-bearer of your Lord, I have come to grant you a most pure boy." 19 She said: "How shall I have a son, seeing that no man has touched me, and I am not 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 ۞ And she conceived him, and she withdrew with him to a far place. 22 And the pains of childbirth drove her to the trunk of a palm tree. She said, "Oh, I wish I had died before this and was in oblivion, forgotten." 23 Then one cried unto her from underneath her, that grieve not, thy Lord hath placed underneath thou a rivulet. 24 If you shake the trunk of the palm tree, it will provide you with fresh ripe dates. 25 So eat and drink and be consoled. And if thou meetest any mortal, say: Lo! I have vowed a fast unto the Beneficent, and may not speak this day to any mortal. 26 Then she came to her people, carrying her baby. They said: "O Mary! You have committed a monstrous thing. 27 “O sister of Haroon, neither was your father an evil man nor was your mother of poor conduct!” 28 Then she pointed to him. They said: How can we talk to one who is in the cradle, a young boy? 29 He Said: verily I am a bondman of Allah; He hath vouchsafed me the Book and made me a prophet. 30 "And He has made me blessed wheresoever I be, and has enjoined on me Salat (prayer), and Zakat, as long as I live." 31 And dutiful to my mother, and He has not made me insolent, unblessed; 32 Peace be upon me, the day I was born, and the day I die, and the day I am raised up alive!' 33 Such was (Prophet) Jesus, the son of Mary. A saying of truth, concerning what they doubt. 34 It is not for God to take a son unto Him. Glory be to Him! When He decrees a thing, He but says to it 'Be,' and it is. 35 Verily Allah is my Lord and your Lord: Him therefore serve ye: this is a Way that is straight. 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 How well they will hear and see on the day they come to Us! But the evildoers even today are 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 Lo! We, only We, inherit the earth and all who are thereon, and unto Us they are returned. 40