." Advise me, O nobles," she said "in this matter. I do not decide any thing until you concur." 32 They said, "We are strong and our prowess in battle is great, but the decision is in your hands, so consider what you will command." 33 The Queen said: "When the kings enter a country they cause corruption in it and abase those of its people who are held in honour. This is what they are wont to do. 34 But I shall send them a gift and see what the messengers bring back' 35 So when he came to Sulaiman, he said: What! will you help me with wealth? But what Allah has given me is better than what He has given you. Nay, you are exultant because of your present; 36 "Go back to them, and be sure we shall come to them with such hosts as they will never be able to meet: We shall expel them from there in disgrace, and they will feel humbled (indeed)." 37 He said, 'O Council, which one of you will bring me her throne, before they come to me in surrender?' 38 A giant from the jinns said: I shall bring it unto thee ere thou arisest from thy place; verily I am strong for it and trusty. 39 But one of them who had some knowledge of the Book said, "I will bring it to you in the twinkling of an eye." When Solomon saw it placed before him, he exclaimed, "This is by the grace of my Lord, to test whether I am grateful or ungrateful. Whosoever is grateful, it is for the good of his own self; and whosoever is ungrateful, then surely my Lord is self-sufficient and generous." 40 He said: disguise for her her throne, that we may see whether she be guided or be of those who are not guided. 41 So, when she came, it was said, 'Is thy throne like this?' She said, 'It seems the same.' 'And we were given the knowledge before her, and we were in surrender, 42 And the thing she used to worship instead of Allah prevented her; she was indeed from the disbelieving people. 43 [After a while] she was told: "Enter this court!" - but when she saw it, she thought that it was a fathomless expanse of water, and she bared her legs. Said he: "Behold, it is [but] a court smoothly paved with glass!" Cried she: "O my Sustainer! I have been sinning against myself thy worshipping aught but Thee]: but [now] I have surrendered myself, with Solomon, unto the Sustainer of all the worlds!" 44