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 to us our share (of chastisement) before the Day of Reckoning.” 16 Be patient over what they say and remember Our servant, David, the possessor of strength; indeed, he was one who repeatedly turned back [to Allah]. 17 We subjugated the chiefs (of tribes) to struggle day and night with him, 18 and the birds, too, in their flocks, and turn again and again to celebrating Allah's glory. 19 We made his kingdom strong, and bestowed upon him wisdom and sagacity in judgement. 20 ۞ And has there come to you the story of the litigants, when they made an entry into the private chamber by ascending over the walls? 21 When they came before David, he was frightened of them. "Do not be afraid," they said. "The two of us are disputing the wrong one has done the other. So judge between us with equity, and do not be unjust, and guide us to the right path. 22 "This man is my brother: He has nine and ninety ewes, and I have (but) one: Yet he says, 'commit her to my care,' and is (moreover) harsh to me in speech." 23 (David) said: "He is unjust in demanding your ewe to add to his (many) ewes. Many partners are surely -- unjust to one another, except those who believe and do the right; but there are only a few of them." It occurred to David that he was being tried by Us, and he begged his Lord to forgive him, and fell down in homage and repented. ۩ 24 So We forgave him that, and verily, for him is a near access to Us, and a good place of (final) return (Paradise). 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