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. We sent her Our angel, who presented himself to her as a full-grown human being. 17 (And when she saw him) she said: 'I take refuge in the Merciful from you! If you are fearful' 18 He replied: "I am only a messenger from your Lord (sent) to bestow a good son on you." 19 She said, 'How shall I have a son whom no mortal has touched, neither have I been unchaste?' 20 "Even so" he replied, "as such your Lord has said: 'Easy it is for Me. And We shall make him a sign to mankind and a mercy from Us. It is a matter decreed.'" 21 ۞ So she conceived him, and she withdrew with him to a far place (i.e. Bethlehem valley about 4-6 miles from Jerusalem). 22 The birth pangs led her to the trunk of a date-palm tree. "Would that I had died before this," she said, "and become a thing forgotten, unremembered." 23 But the one that was below her called to her, 'Nay, do not sorrow; see, thy Lord has set below thee a rivulet. 24 "And shake the trunk of date-palm towards you, it will let fall fresh ripe-dates upon you." 25 Eat, drink, and rejoice. Should you see a person going by, tell him that on this day you have promised the Beneficent God to fast and never talk to any human being." 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 O sister of Aaron, your father was not a wicked person, nor your mother sinful!" 28 She pointed to the child. They said, "How shall we talk to someone who is a child in the cradle?" 29 He said, "I am the servant of God. He has given me the Book and has appointed me to be a Prophet. 30 He has made me blessed wherever I may be, and has enjoined upon me prayer and almsgiving throughout my life. 31 He has made me dutiful toward my mother, and He has not made me arrogant or wicked. 32 “And peace is upon me the day I was born, and on the day I shall taste death, and on the day I will be raised alive.” 33 This is Eisa (Jesus), the son of Maryam; a true statement, in which they doubt. 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 And [thus it was that Jesus always said]: "Verily, God is my Sustainer as well as your Sustainer; so worship [none but] Him: this [alone] is a straight way." 36 Then groups among them differed; so ruin is for the disbelievers from the witnessing of a Great Day. 37 How clearly will they (polytheists and disbelievers in the Oneness of Allah) see and hear, the Day when they will appear before Us! But the Zalimun (polytheists and wrong-doers) today are in plain error. 38 Warn thou them of the day of anguish, when the matter shall be determined, and they yet heedless and unbelieving. 39 Lo! We, only We, inherit the earth and all who are thereon, and unto Us they are returned. 40