We gave knowledge to David and Soloman. They said, "It is only God who deserves all praise. He has exalted us above many of His believing servants." 15 And Sulaiman was Dawood's heir, and he said: O men! we have been taught the language of birds, and we have been given all things; most surely this is manifest grace. 16 And there were gathered unto Sulaiman his hosts of jinns and mankind and birds, and they were set in bands. 17 Till, when they reached the Valley of the Ants, an ant exclaimed: O ants! Enter your dwellings lest Solomon and his armies crush you, unperceiving. 18 Smiling at the ant's utterance, Solomon burst into laughter and said: "My Lord! Hold me under (Your) control that I may render thanks for the favour which You have bestowed on me and on my parents, and that I may act righteously in a manner that would please You. Include me, out of Your Mercy, among Your righteous servants." 19 And he took a muster of the Birds; and he said: "Why is it I see not the Hoopoe? Or is he among the absentees? 20 I verily will punish him with hard punishment or I verily will slay him, or he verily shall bring me a plain excuse. 21 But the hoopoe stayed not long and said, "I have encompassed [in knowledge] that which you have not encompassed, and I have come to you from Sheba with certain news. 22 "I found (there) a woman ruling over them and provided with every requisite; and she has a magnificent throne. 23 "I found her and her people worshipping the sun instead of Allah, and Shaitan (Satan) has made their deeds fair-seeming to them, and has barred them from (Allah's) Way, so they have no guidance," 24 "(Kept them away from the Path), that they should not worship Allah, Who brings to light what is hidden in the heavens and the earth, and knows what ye hide and what ye reveal. 25 Allah - there is no deity except Him, Lord of the Great Throne." ۩ 26 ۞ Said he, 'Now We will see whether thou hast spoken truly, or whether thou art amongst those that lie. 27 Take this letter of mine, and cast it unto them, then turn back from them and see what they shall return ' 28 She said: O chiefs! verily there hath been cast unto me an honourable epistle. 29 It is from Solomon, and it is "In the Name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate. 30 Saying: exalt not yourselves against me and come to me in submission. 31