Relate in the Book (the story of) Mary, when she withdrew from her family to a place in the East. 16 And took cover from them, We sent a spirit of Ours to her who appeared before her in the concrete form of a man. 17 (And when she saw him) she said: 'I take refuge in the Merciful from you! If you are fearful' 18 He said: "Nay, I am only a messenger from thy Lord, (to announce) to thee the gift of a holy son. 19 Mary said: "How can a boy be born to me when no man has even touched me, nor have I ever been 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 ۞ So she conceived him, and she retired with him to a remote place. 22 And the pains of childbirth drove her to the trunk of a date-palm. She said: "Would that I had died before this, and had been forgotten and out of sight!" 23 Then she heard the baby saying, "Do not be sad. Your Lord has caused a stream to run at your feet. 24 "And shake the trunk of date-palm towards you, it will let fall fresh ripe-dates upon you." 25 So eat and drink and be contented. And if you see from among humanity anyone, say, 'Indeed, I have vowed to the Most Merciful abstention, so I will not speak today to [any] man.' " 26 So carrying him in her arms, she brought him to her people; they said, “O Maryam, you have indeed committed a great evil!” 27 O sister of Aaron! Your father was not an evil man, nor was your mother an unchaste woman." 28 So she pointed to him. They said, "How can we speak to one who is in the cradle a child?" 29 The child proclaimed, “I am Allah’s bondman; He has given me the Book and made me a Herald of the Hidden (a Prophet).” 30 “And He has made me blessed wherever I be; and ordained upon me prayer and charity, as long as I live.” 31 And dutiful to my mother, and He has not made me insolent, unblessed; 32 And peace on me on the day I was born, and on the day I die, and on the day I am raised to life. 33 Such is 'lsa, son of Maryam: this is the word of truth wherein they are doubting. 34 it does not befit the majesty of God that He should beget a son. Glory be to Him! He is far above that: when He decrees something, He says only, "Be!" and it is. 35 (Jesus had said): "Indeed Allah is my Lord and your Lord, so serve Him alone. This is the Straight Way." 36 But parties from among them disagreed with each other, so woe to those who disbelieve, because of presence on a great day. 37 How [clearly] they will hear and see the Day they come to Us, but the wrongdoers today are in clear error. 38 And warn them of the Day of Regret when the matter will have been decided; and they are in neglect, and they do not accept faith. 39 It is We Who will inherit the earth, and all beings thereon: to Us will they all be returned. 40