And they [who now deny the truth - they, too,] have but to wait for one single blast [of punishment to overtake them]: it shall not be delayed a whit. 15 And they say, "Our Lord, hasten for us our share [of the punishment] before the Day of Account" 16 Bear with their words patiently. Remember Our servant David, a man of strength who always turned to Us: 17 We made the mountains join him in glorifying Us at sunset and sunrise; 18 And the birds were assembled, all with him repeating [praises]. 19 We made his kingdom strong and gave him wisdom and decisive speech. 20 ۞ And has there come to you the news of the adversaries, when they climbed over the wall of [his] prayer 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 Verily this my brother hath nine and ninety ewes while I have one ewe; and he saith: entrust it to me, and he hath prevailed upon me in speech. 23 David said, "He has certainly wronged you by demanding that your ewe be added to his ewes! Thus many partners wrong one another -- [all] save those who believe [in God] and do righteous deeds: but how few are they!" And [suddenly] David understood that We were only putting him to the test, and so he asked his Lord to forgive him his sins; he fell to his knees, and turned to Him in repentance. ۩ 24 So We forgave him that; and indeed, for him is nearness to Us and a good place of return. 25 (And it was said unto him): O David! Lo! We have set thee as a viceroy in the earth; therefor judge aright between mankind, and follow not desire that it beguile thee from the way of Allah. Lo! those who wander from the way of Allah have an awful doom, forasmuch as they forgot the Day of Reckoning. 26