And mention, [O Muhammad], in the Book [the story of] Mary, when she withdrew from her family to a place toward the east. 16 We sent to her Our Spirit (Gabriel) in the resemblance of a perfect human. 17 She said: Lo! I seek refuge in the Beneficent One from thee, if thou art Allah-fearing. 18 (The angel) said: "I am only a Messenger from your Lord, (to announce) to you the gift of a righteous son." 19 She said, 'How shall I have a son whom no mortal has touched, neither have I been unchaste?' 20 He said: even so! Thy Lord saith: it is with Me easy, and it is in order that We may make him a sign unto mankind and a mercy from Us, and it is an affair decreed. 21 ۞ So she conceived him and withdrew with him to a distant place. 22 And the throes (of childbirth) compelled her to betake herself to the trunk of a palm tree. She said: Oh, would that I had died before this, and had been a thing quite forgotten! 23 Then one cried unto her from underneath her, that grieve not, thy Lord hath placed underneath thou a rivulet. 24 and shake the trunk of this palmtree it will drop fresh ripe dates upon you. 25 "So eat and drink and be glad, and if you see any human being, say: 'Verily! I have vowed a fast unto the Most Beneficent (Allah) so I shall not speak to any human being this day. 26 Then she brought him to her people, carrying him. They said, "O Mary, you have certainly done a thing unprecedented. 27 Sister of Aaron, thy father was not a wicked man, nor was thy mother a woman unchaste.' 28 She pointed to the child. They said, "How shall we talk to someone who is a child in the cradle?" 29 [But] he said, "I am God's servant. He has given me the Book and made me a prophet; 30 “And He has made me blessed wherever I be; and ordained upon me prayer and charity, as long as I live.” 31 and [has endowed me with] piety towards my mother; and He has not made me haughty or bereft of grace. 32 There was peace on me the day I was born, and will be the day I die, and on the day I will be raised from the dead." 33 Such (was) Jesus the son of Mary: (it is) a statement of truth, about which they (vainly) dispute. 34 It is not [befitting] for Allah to take a son; exalted is He! When He decrees an affair, He only says to it, "Be," and it is. 35 Surely God is my Lord, and your Lord; So serve you Him. This is a straight path. 36 But the parties have fallen into variance among themselves; then woe to those who disbelieve for the scene of a dreadful day. 37 How keenly would they hear and see when they come before Us then, even though today the evil-doers are lost in palpable error. 38 (O Muhammad), warn those who are steeped in heedlessness and are obstinately rejecting the truth that the Day shall come when things will be finally decided and they shall be left with utter remorse. 39 Indeed We shall inherit the earth and all that is on it, and only towards Us will they return. 40