they have only to wait for one single blast [of punishment]: it shall not be delayed by one whit. 15 As it is, they say [mockingly]: "O our Sustainer! Hasten on to us our share [of punishment even] before the Day of Reckoning!" 16 Bear with their words patiently. Remember Our servant David, a man of strength who always turned to Us: 17 We subjected the mountains to exalt (Me) with him in the evening and at sunrise, 18 And the birds gathered together; all joined in singing with him. 19 And We made his dominion strong and vouchsafed him wisdom and decisive speech. 20 ۞ Have you heard of the litigants who jumped over the wall into his chamber? 21 When they went in unto Da-ud, he was frightened at them. They said: fear not we are two contending parties; one of us hath oppressed the other, so judge between us with truth, and be not iniquitious, and guide us unto the even path. 22 One of them said, "This is my brother who has ninety-nine ewes when I have only one. He has demanded me to place that one in his custody; he had the stronger argument". 23 [David] said, "He has certainly wronged you in demanding your ewe [in addition] to his ewes. And indeed, many associates oppress one another, except for those who believe and do righteous deeds - and few are they." And David became certain that We had tried him, and he asked forgiveness of his Lord and fell down bowing [in prostration] and turned in repentance [to Allah]. ۩ 24 So We forgave him this (lapse): he enjoyed, indeed, a Near Approach to Us, and a beautiful place of (Final) 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