(After reading the letter) the Queen said: "Nobles, let me have your counsel in this matter for I make no firm decision without you." 32 They said, "We are men of strength and of great military might, but the command is yours, so see what you will command." 33 She said, "When Kings enter a town they destroy it and disrespect its honorable people. That is what they will do, too. 34 But lo! I am going to send a present unto them, and to see with what (answer) the messengers return. 35 So when [the envoy] came to Solomon he said, "What! Are you offering me wealth? But that which God has given me is better than that which He has given you. Yet you rejoice in your gift. 36 Go back to your people and we shall soon come there with an army which they will not be able to face. We shall drive them from their town, humble, and disgraced." 37 He said, 'O Council, which one of you will bring me her throne, before they come to me in surrender?' 38 A demon from among the jinn said, "I will bring it to you before you get up from your seat. I am strong and trustworthy enough to do it." 39 The one who had knowledge from the Book said, "I can bring it to you before you even blink your eye." When Solomon saw the throne placed before him, he said, "This is a favor from my Lord by which He wants to test whether I am grateful or ungrateful. Whoever thanks God does so for his own good. Whoever is ungrateful to God should know that my Lord is Self-Sufficient and Benevolent." 40 He said: Disguise her throne for her that we may see whether she will go aright or be of those not rightly guided. 41 So when she arrived, it was said [to her], "Is your throne like this?" She said, "[It is] as though it was it." [Solomon said], "And we were given knowledge before her, and we have been Muslims [in submission to Allah]. 42 Her idols prevented her from believing in God and she was an infidel. 43 She was asked to enter the lofty Palace: but when she saw it, she thought it was a lake of water, and she (tucked up her skirts), uncovering her legs. He said: "This is but a palace paved smooth with slabs of glass." She said: "O my Lord! I have indeed wronged my soul: I do (now) submit (in Islam), with Solomon, to the Lord of the Worlds." 44