AND CALL to mind, through this divine writ, Mary. Lo! She withdrew from her family to an eastern place 16 and drew a curtain, screening herself from people whereupon We sent to her Our spirit and he appeared to her as a well-shaped man. 17 "I seek refuge in the Merciful from you, if you fear Him," she said. 18 He said, “I am indeed one sent by your Lord; so that I may give you a chaste son.” 19 She said, "How can I have a son when no man has touched me; and neither have I been unchaste?" 20 [The angel] replied, "So shall it be; your Lord says, 'This is easy for Me; and We shall make him a sign to people and a blessing, from Us. This has been decreed.'" 21 ۞ And she conceived him, and she withdrew with him to a far place. 22 And when the birthpangs came upon her by the trunk of a palmtree, she said: 'Oh, would that I had died before this and become a thing forgotten' 23 Then (a voice) called to her from below: "Grieve not; your Lord has made a rivulet gush forth right below you. 24 Shake the trunk of the palm-tree towards yourself and fresh and ripe dates shall fall upon you. 25 Eat and drink, and be at peace. If you see any man, tell him: 'I have verily vowed a fast to Ar-Rahman and cannot speak to any one this day.' 26 And in time she returned to her people, carrying the child with her. They said: "O Mary! Thou hast indeed done an amazing thing! 27 Aaron's sister, your father was not a bad man nor was your mother 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 [But] he said: "Behold, I am a servant of God. He has vouchsafed unto me revelation and made me 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 "(He) hath made me kind to my mother, and not overbearing or miserable; 32 Peace be upon me on the day I was born, and on the day I die; and on the day when I shall be raised up alive' 33 Such was the true story of Jesus, the son of Mary, about which they dispute bitterly. 34 It does not behove God to have a son. Too immaculate is He! When He decrees a thing He has only to say: "Be", and it is. 35 (Jesus only said:) "Surely God is my Lord and your Lord, so worship Him. This is the straight path." 36 But different parties began to dispute with one another. A dreadful woe awaits on that great Day for those that reject the Truth. 37 Much will they listen and much will they see, on the Day when they come to Us, but today the unjust are in open error. 38 And warn them of the Day of anguish when the case hath been decided. Now they are in a state of carelessness, and they believe not. 39 Surely We shall inherit the earth and all that are upon it, and unto Us they shall be returned. 40