they have only to wait for one single blast [of punishment]: it shall not be delayed by one whit. 15 They say, 'Our Lord, hasten to us our share before the Day of Reckoning.' 16 Bear with their words patiently. Remember Our servant David, a man of strength who always turned to Us: 17 Indeed We subjected the hills to say the praise with him, at night and at morn. 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 gave him wisdom and decisive speech. 20 ۞ Have you heard the story of the disputants who entered his chamber by climbing over the wall? 21 When they entered upon David and he was alarmed by them? They said, "Fear not. [We are] two adversaries, one of whom has wronged the other, so judge between us with truth and do not exceed [it] and guide us to the sound path. 22 This, my brother has ninety nine ewes, but I have only one ewe (a female sheep). He said: "Give her into my keeping" and overcame me in the argument' 23 He said: Surely he has been unjust to you in demanding your ewe (to add) to his own ewes; and most surely most of the partners act wrongfully towards one another, save those who believe and do good, and very few are they; and Dawood was sure that We had tried him, so he sought the protection of his Lord and he fell down bowing and turned time after time (to Him). ۩ 24 And thereupon We forgave him that [sin]: and verily, nearness to Us awaits him [in the life to come,] and the most beauteous of all goals! 25 We said, "David, We have given you mastery over the land. Judge fairly between people. Do not follow your desires, lest they divert you from God's path: those who wander from His path will have a severe punishment, because they ignore the Day of Reckoning." 26