they have only to wait for one single blast [of punishment]: it shall not be delayed by one whit. 15 They say, 'Our Lord, hasten to us our share before the Day of Reckoning.' 16 Bear with their words patiently. Remember Our servant David, a man of strength who always turned to Us: 17 We subjugated the chiefs (of tribes) to struggle day and night with him, 18 We made the birds assemble around him in flocks. 19 And We strengthened his dominion, and bestowed upon him wisdom and sagacity in judgment. 20 ۞ Has the tiding of the dispute come to thee? When they scaled the Sanctuary, 21 and entered where David was (praying). He was frightened, so they said, "Do not be afraid. We are only two disputing parties of which one of us has transgressed against the other. Judge between us with truth and justice and guide us to the right path". 22 Indeed this, my brother, has ninety-nine ewes, and I have one ewe; so he said, 'Entrust her to me,' and he overpowered me in speech." 23 David said, "He has certainly wronged you by demanding that your ewe be added to his ewes! Thus many partners wrong one another -- [all] save those who believe [in God] and do righteous deeds: but how few are they!" And [suddenly] David understood that We were only putting him to the test, and so he asked his Lord to forgive him his sins; he fell to his knees, and turned to Him in repentance. ۩ 24 So We forgave him that, and verily, for him is a near access to Us, and a good place of (final) return (Paradise). 25 [And We said:] "O David! Behold, We have made thee a [prophet and thus, Our] vicegerent on earth: judge, then, between men with justice, and do not follow vain desire, lest it lead thee astray from the path of God: verily, for those who go astray from the path of God there is suffering severe in store for having forgotten the Day of Reckoning!" 26