Recount in the Book how Mary withdrew from her people to an eastern place 16 So there she screened herself from them; We therefore sent Our Spirit towards her – he appeared before her in the form of a healthy man. (Angel Jibreel – peace be upon him.) 17 She said: Lo! I seek refuge in the Beneficent One from thee, if thou art Allah-fearing. 18 [The angel] answered: "I am but a messenger of thy Sustainer, [who says,] 'I shall bestow upon thee the gift of a son endowed with purity.'" 19 She said, 'How shall I have a son whom no mortal has touched, neither have I been unchaste?' 20 He said, 'Even so thy Lord has said: "Easy is that for Me; and that We may appoint him a sign unto men and a mercy from Us; it is a thing decreed."' 21 ۞ Then she conceived him and withdrew with him to a far-off place. 22 And the throes (of childbirth) compelled her to betake herself to the trunk of a palm tree. She said: Oh, would that I had died before this, and had been a thing quite forgotten! 23 But a voice called out to her from below, "Do not despair. Your Lord has provided a brook that runs at your feet, 24 "And shake towards thyself the trunk of the palm-tree: It will let fall fresh ripe dates upon thee. 25 So eat and drink and cool your eyes; and if you see any person say to him: 'Verily I have vowed a fast to the Most Compassionate Lord, and so I shall not speak to anyone today.' " 26 At length she brought the (babe) to her people, carrying him (in her arms). They said: "O Mary! truly an amazing thing hast thou brought! 27 Sister of Aaron, thy father was not a wicked man, nor was thy mother a woman unchaste.' 28 Then she Pointed to him. They said: how shall we speak to one who is in the cradle, a child? 29 The child proclaimed, “I am Allah’s bondman; He has given me the Book and made me a Herald of the Hidden (a Prophet).” 30 And He hath made me blest wheresoever I may be, and enjoined on me the prayer and the poor-rate as long as I am alive. 31 "(He) hath made me kind to my mother, and not overbearing or miserable; 32 And peace on me on the day I was born, and on the day I die, and on the day I am raised to life. 33 This was Jesus, son of Mary: A true account they contend about. 34 It beseems not Allah that He should take to Himself a son, glory to be Him; when He has decreed a matter He only says to it "Be," and it is. 35 Surely God is my Lord, and your Lord; So serve you Him. This is a straight path. 36 Then groups among them differed; so ruin is for the disbelievers from the witnessing of a Great Day. 37 How plainly will they see and hear, the Day that they will appear before Us! but the unjust today are in error manifest! 38 Warn them of the woeful day when the final decree will be issued; they are neglectful and faithless. 39 For We shall inherit the earth and all that are on it. To Us, they shall return. 40