they have only to wait for one single blast [of punishment]: it shall not be delayed by one whit. 15 And they say: our Lord! hasten our portion unto us before the Day of Reckoning 16 Bear with patience what they say, and remember Our votary David, man of strength. He surely turned to Us in penitence. 17 We subjugated the chiefs (of tribes) to struggle day and night with him, 18 and the birds, too, gathered each obedient to him. 19 We strengthened his kingdom, and gave him wisdom and speech decisive. 20 ۞ And has the news of the litigants reached you? When they climbed over the wall into (his) Mihrab (a praying place or a private room,). 21 When they reached David, he took fright, but they said, "Do not be afraid. We are two disputants, one of whom has wronged the other: judge between us fairly, do not be unjust, and guide us to the right path. 22 Verily, this my brother (in religion) has ninety nine ewes, while I have (only) one ewe, and he says: "Hand it over to me, and he overpowered me in speech." 23 David said, "He has certainly been unjust in demanding your ewe from you. Most partners transgress against each other except for the righteously striving believers who are very few." David realized that it was a test from Us so he asked forgiveness from his Lord and knelt down before him in repentance. ۩ 24 So We forgave him. He has surely a high rank with Us and an excellent place of return. 25 [And We said:] "O David! Behold, We have made thee a [prophet and thus, Our] vicegerent on earth: judge, then, between men with justice, and do not follow vain desire, lest it lead thee astray from the path of God: verily, for those who go astray from the path of God there is suffering severe in store for having forgotten the Day of Reckoning!" 26