And mention, [O Muhammad], in the Book [the story of] Mary, when she withdrew from her family to a place toward the east. 16 and kept herself in seclusion from them, whereupon We sent unto her Our angel of revelation, who appeared to her in the shape of a well-made human being. 17 She said: I verily seek refuge with the Compassionate from thee if thou art God-fearing. 18 [The angel] answered: "I am but a messenger of thy Sustainer, [who says,] 'I shall bestow upon thee the gift of a son endowed with purity.'" 19 She said, "How can I have a boy while no man has touched me and I have not been unchaste?" 20 The angel said: "Thus shall it be. Your Lord says: 'It is easy for Me; and We shall do so in order to make him a Sign for mankind and a mercy from Us. This has been decreed.' " 21 ۞ So she conceived him, and she withdrew with him to a remote place. 22 The pains of labour drove her to the trunk of a date-palm. She said, "Oh, if only I had died before this and passed into oblivion!" 23 But a voice called out to her from below, "Do not despair. Your Lord has provided a brook that runs at your feet, 24 And shake the trunk of the palm-tree toward thee, thou wilt cause ripe dates to fall upon thee. 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 Then she brought the child to her folk carrying him; and they said, 'Mary, thou hast surely committed a monstrous thing! 27 O sister of Harun: thy father was not a man of evil, nor was thy mother a harlot. 28 Mary pointed to the child then; but they said, 'How shall we speak to one who is still in the cradle, a little child?' 29 He said, 'Lo, I am God's servant; God has given me the Book, and made me a Prophet. 30 Blessed He has made me, wherever I may be; and He has enjoined me to pray, and to give the alms, so long as I live, 31 (He has made me) kind to my mother; He has not made me arrogant, unprosperous. 32 And peace be on me the day I was born and the day I die and the day I shall be raised up alive. 33 Such is 'lsa, son of Maryam: this is the word of truth wherein they are doubting. 34 Allah is not one to take to Himself a son. Hallowed be He! whensoever He decreeth an affair he only Saith to it: be, and it becometh. 35 Verily Allah is my Lord and your Lord: Him therefore serve ye: this is a Way that is straight. 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 How well they will hear and see on the Day when they come before Us! The evildoers are today in clear error. 38 And warn them of the day of intense regret, when the matter shall have been decided; and they are (now) in negligence and they do not believe. 39 We are the heirs of the earth and those living in it will all return to Us. 40