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 Still they say: "O Lord, give us our share before the Day of Reckoning." 16 (Muhammad), bear patiently what they say and recall Our servant, David, who had strong hands and who was most repentant. 17 Indeed, We subjected the mountains [to praise] with him, exalting [Allah] in the [late] afternoon and [after] sunrise. 18 and [likewise] the birds in their assemblies: [together] they all would turn again and again unto Him [who had created them]. 19 We made his kingdom strong, and bestowed upon him wisdom and sagacity in judgement. 20 ۞ And hath the tidings of the contending parties reached thee, when they walled the apartment? 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 verily, for him is a near access to Us, and a good place of (final) return (Paradise). 25 We told him. "David, We have appointed you as Our deputy on earth so judge among the people with truth. Do not follow (worldly) desires lest you go astray from the way of God. Those who go astray from the way of God will suffer severe torment for forgetting the Day of Reckoning. 26