They await just one Scream, which no one can avert. 15 As it is, they say [mockingly]: "O our Sustainer! Hasten on to us our share [of punishment even] before the Day of Reckoning!" 16 [But] bear thou with patience whatever they may say, and remember Our servant David, him who was endowed with [so much] inner strength! He, verily, would always turn unto Us: 17 We subjugated the chiefs (of tribes) to struggle day and night with him, 18 and the birds, duly mustered, every one to him reverting; 19 And We strengthened his dominion, and bestowed upon him wisdom and sagacity in judgment. 20 ۞ Has the story of the litigants reached you -- of those who entered his private chambers by climbing over the wall? 21 As they came upon David, and he shrank back in fear from them, they said: "Fear not! [We are but] two litigants. One of us has wronged the other: so judge thou between us with justice, and deviate not from what is right, and show [both of] us the way to rectitude. 22 This, my brother has ninety nine ewes, but I have only one ewe (a female sheep). He said: "Give her into my keeping" and overcame me in the argument' 23 He said: Surely he has been unjust to you in demanding your ewe (to add) to his own ewes; and most surely most of the partners act wrongfully towards one another, save those who believe and do good, and very few are they; and Dawood was sure that We had tried him, so he sought the protection of his Lord and he fell down bowing and turned time after time (to Him). ۩ 24 Accordingly We forgave him that, and he has a near place in Our presence and a fair resort. 25 'David, behold, We have appointed thee a viceroy in the earth; therefore judge between men justly, and follow not caprice, lest it lead thee astray from the way of God. Surely those who go astray from the way of God -- there awaits them a terrible chastisement, for that they have forgotten the Day of Reckoning.' 26