And mention in the Book, Mary, how she withdrew from her people to an eastern place and she took a veil apart from them; 16 And she took, in seclusion from them, a screen. Then We sent to her Our Angel, and he represented himself to her as a well-proportioned man. 17 When she saw him, she said, "I seek refuge in the compassionate God from you; [do not come near] if you fear the Lord." 18 He replied: "I am only a messenger from your Lord (sent) to bestow a good son on you." 19 'How shall I bear a son' she answered, 'when I am not touched by a human and not unchaste' 20 He said: even so! Thy Lord saith: it is with Me easy, and it is in order that We may make him a sign unto mankind and a mercy from Us, and it is an affair decreed. 21 ۞ She conceived the child and retreated with him to a distant and solitary place. 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 Then (one) cried unto her from below her, saying: Grieve not! Thy Lord hath placed a rivulet beneath thee, 24 And shake toward thee the trunk of the palm-tree it shall drop on thee dates fresh and ripe. 25 Eat and drink and rejoice. And if you see any human being say, 'I have vowed a fast [of silence] to the Gracious God, and will not speak with any human being today.'" 26 Then she brought the child to her people. They exclaimed: "O Mary, you have done a most astonishing thing! 27 Sister of Aaron, thy father was not a wicked man, nor was thy mother a woman unchaste.' 28 Thereupon she pointed to him. They exclaimed: "How can we talk to one who [as yet] is a little boy in the cradle?" 29 He (the baby) said: 'I am the worshiper of Allah. Allah has given me the Book and made me a Prophet. 30 and has blessed me wherever I might be and has enjoined upon me Prayer and Zakah (purifying alms) as long as I live; 31 He has commanded me to be good to my parents and has not made me an arrogant rebellious person. 32 Blessed was I on the day I was born, and blessed I shall be on the day I die and on the day I am raised to life again." 33 This was Jesus, son of Mary: A true account they contend about. 34 It is not for God to take a son unto Him. Glory be to Him! When He decrees a thing, He but says to it 'Be,' and it is. 35 God is my Lord and your Lord, so worship Him alone. That is the right path. 36 Yet the sectarians differed among themselves. Alas for the unbelievers when they see the Terrible Day! 37 How [clearly] they will hear and see the Day they come to Us, but the wrongdoers today are in clear error. 38 Warn them of that Day of Anguish, when the matter is determined whilst heedlessly they disbelieve. 39 Lo! We, only We, inherit the earth and all who are thereon, and unto Us they are returned. 40