(After reading the letter) the Queen said: "Nobles, let me have your counsel in this matter for I make no firm decision without you." 32 They said: "We are endued with strength, and given to vehement war: but the command is with thee; so consider what thou wilt command." 33 She said, "Indeed kings - when they enter a city, they ruin it and render the honored of its people humbled. And thus do they do. 34 Hence, behold, I am going to send a gift to those [people,] and await whatever [answer] the envoys bring back." 35 So when [the envoy] came to Solomon he said, "What! Are you offering me wealth? But that which God has given me is better than that which He has given you. Yet you rejoice in your gift. 36 Go back to your people and we shall soon come there with an army which they will not be able to face. We shall drive them from their town, humble, and disgraced." 37 And he said: 'O Council, which of you will bring me her throne, before they come to me, Muslims (submissive to Allah)' 38 One audacious among the jinn said: I will bring it to you before you rise up from your place; and most surely I am strong (and) trusty for it. 39 The one who had knowledge from the Book said, "I can bring it to you before you even blink your eye." When Solomon saw the throne placed before him, he said, "This is a favor from my Lord by which He wants to test whether I am grateful or ungrateful. Whoever thanks God does so for his own good. Whoever is ungrateful to God should know that my Lord is Self-Sufficient and Benevolent." 40 (Then) he said: 'Let her throne be disguised, so that we can see whether she is guided or if she is among those who are not guided' 41 When she came she was asked, "Is your throne like this?" She replied, "It seems that this is it. We had received the knowledge before this and were submissive (to Solomon's power)". 42 but that she served, apart from God, barred her, for she was of a people of unbelievers.' 43 She was told, "Enter the palace." But when she saw it, she thought it was a body of water and uncovered her shins [to wade through]. He said, "Indeed, it is a palace [whose floor is] made smooth with glass." She said, "My Lord, indeed I have wronged myself, and I submit with Solomon to Allah, Lord of the worlds." 44