Recount in the Book how Mary withdrew from her people to an eastern place 16 out of her people's sight. We sent Our Spirit to her, who stood before her in the shape of a well formed human being. 17 She said, “I seek the refuge of the Most Gracious from you – if you fear God.” 18 He said, "I am only the messenger of your Lord to give you [news of] a pure boy." 19 She said: How can I have a son when no mortal hath touched me, neither have I been unchaste? 20 He said, “So it is; your Lord has said, ‘This is easy for Me’; and in order that We make him a sign for mankind and a Mercy from Us; and this matter has been decreed.” 21 ۞ So she conceived him, and she withdrew with him to a far place (i.e. Bethlehem valley about 4-6 miles from Jerusalem). 22 And the birthpangs surprised her by the trunk of the palm-tree. She said, 'Would I had died ere this, and become a thing forgotten!' 23 But (a voice) cried to her from beneath the (palm-tree): "Grieve not! for thy Lord hath provided a rivulet beneath thee; 24 and shake the trunk of the palm-tree towards thee: it will drop fresh, ripe dates upon thee. 25 Therefore eat and drink and rejoice with your eyes. If you meet any human say to him: "I have vowed a fast to the Merciful and will not speak with anyone today.' 26 So carrying him in her arms, she brought him to her people; they said, “O Maryam, you have indeed committed a great evil!” 27 "O sister (i.e. the like) of Harun (Aaron) [not the brother of Musa (Moses), but he was another pious man at the time of Maryam (Mary)]! Your father was not a man who used to commit adultery, nor your mother was an unchaste woman." 28 Thereupon Mary pointed to the child. They exclaimed: "How can we speak to one who is in the cradle, a mere child?" 29 "I am a servant of God," he answered. "He has given me a Book and made me a prophet, 30 Blessed He has made me, wherever I may be; and He has enjoined me to pray, and to give the alms, so long as I live, 31 And duteous unto my mother, and hath not made me high-handed, unblest. 32 Peace on me the day I was born, and the day I die, and the day I shall be raised alive! 33 Such (was) Jesus the son of Mary: (it is) a statement of truth, about which they (vainly) dispute. 34 it does not befit the majesty of God that He should beget a son. Glory be to Him! He is far above that: when He decrees something, He says only, "Be!" and it is. 35 (Jesus had said): "Indeed Allah is my Lord and your Lord, so serve Him alone. This is the Straight Way." 36 But the sects differ among themselves: and woe to the unbelievers because of the (coming) Judgment of a Momentous 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 Warn them of the woeful day when the final decree will be issued; they are neglectful and faithless. 39 Verily We! We shall inherit the earth and whatsoever is thereon: and unto Us they shall be returned. 40