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 Mary said, "Would that the Beneficent God would protect me from you. Leave me alone if you are a God fearing person". 18 He said: "I am just a message-bearer of your Lord, I have come to grant you a most pure boy." 19 She said, "How can I have a boy while no man has touched me and I have not been unchaste?" 20 He said: Even so; your Lord says: It is easy to Me: and that We may make him a sign to men and a mercy from Us, and it is a matter which has been decreed. 21 ۞ Thereupon she carried him, and retired to a far off place. 22 And the throes (of childbirth) compelled her to betake herself to the trunk of a palm tree. She said: Oh, would that I had died before this, and had been a thing quite forgotten! 23 (The angel) Therefore called her from below her, “Do not grieve – your Lord has made a river flow below you.” 24 and if you shake the trunk of this palm-tree, it will drop fresh ripe dates on you. 25 So eat and drink and refresh the eye. Then if you see any mortal, say: Surely I have vowed a fast to the Beneficent Allah, so I shall not speak to any man 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 Then she pointed to him. They said: How can we talk to one who is in the cradle, a young boy? 29 "I am a servant of God," he answered. "He has given me a Book and made me a prophet, 30 He made me to be blessed wherever I am, and He has charged me with prayer and charity for as long as I shall live. 31 He has made me dutiful toward my mother, and He has not made me arrogant or wicked. 32 Peace on me the day I was born, and the day I die, and the day I shall be raised alive! 33 This is Eisa (Jesus), the son of Maryam; a true statement, in which they doubt. 34 It is not befitting to (the majesty of) Allah that He should beget a son. Glory be to Him! when He determines a matter, He only says to it, "Be", and it is. 35 And verily Allah is my Lord and your Lord; so worship Him; this is a way straight. 36 Then groups among them differed; so ruin is for the disbelievers from the witnessing of a Great Day. 37 How plainly will they see and hear, the Day that they will appear before Us! but the unjust today are in error manifest! 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 Ultimately, We shall inherit the earth and whatever is on it; to Us shall they be returned. 40