And We verily gave knowledge unto David and Solomon, and they said: Praise be to Allah, Who hath preferred us above many of His believing slaves! 15 And [in this insight] Solomon was [truly] David's heir; and he would say: "O you people! We have been taught the speech of birds, and have been given [in abundance] of all [good] things: this, behold, is indeed a manifest favour [from God]!" 16 And assembled together for Sulaiman were his armies of jinns and men, and of birds – so they had to be restricted. 17 till, when they came on the Valley of Ants, an ant said, 'Ants, enter your dwelling-places, lest Solomon and his hosts crush you, being unaware!' 18 So he smiled, amused at her speech, and said: my Lord! arouse me that I should be thankful for Thy favour wherewith Thou hast favoured me and my parents, and that I should work righteously pleasing Thee, and out of Thy mercy enter me among Thine righteous bondmen. 19 When he reviewed the Tair, he said: "How is it I do not see Hud-hud? Is he absent? 20 [If so,] I will punish him most severely or will kill him unless he bring me a convincing excuse!" 21 Not before long the hoopoe came up and said: "I have obtained a knowledge which you could not. I have brought for you sure news about Sheba. 22 I found a woman ruling the people there and she possessed something of (almost) everything and a great throne. 23 I found her and her people adoring the sun instead of Allah, and the Shaitan has made their deeds fair-seeming to them and thus turned them from the way, so they do not go aright 24 so that they prostrate not themselves to God, who brings forth what is hidden in the heavens and earth; and He knows what you conceal and what you publish. 25 Allah; there is no Allah save Him, the Lord of the Tremendous Throne. ۩ 26 ۞ (Solomon) said: 'We shall see if you speak the truth or you are a liar. 27 Take this letter from me, and deliver it to them and withdraw, then see what reply they give in return." 28 The woman said, “O chieftains, indeed a noble letter has been dropped upon me.” 29 “Indeed it is from Sulaiman, and it is (begins) with ‘Allah – beginning with the name of – the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.’” 30 “That ‘Do not wish eminence above me, and present yourselves humbly to me, with submission.’” 31