And they [who now deny the truth - they, too,] have but to wait for one single blast [of punishment to overtake them]: it shall not be delayed a whit. 15 They say: "Our Lord! hasten to us our sentence (even) before the Day of Account!" 16 Bear with their words patiently. Remember Our servant David, a man of strength who always turned to Us: 17 Lo! We subdued the hills to hymn the praises (of their Lord) with him at nightfall and sunrise, 18 And birds gathered together; they were all obedient to him. 19 So We further strengthened his kingdom, and bestowed wisdom on him, and judgement in legal matters. 20 ۞ And has the news of the litigants reached you? When they climbed over the wall into (his) Mihrab (a praying place or a private room,). 21 When they reached David, he took fright, but they said, "Do not be afraid. We are two disputants, one of whom has wronged the other: judge between us fairly, do not be unjust, and guide us to the right path. 22 Surely this is my brother; he has ninety-nine ewes and I have a single ewe; but he said: Make it over to me, and he has prevailed against me in discourse. 23 Said he, 'Assuredly he has wronged thee in asking for thy ewe in addition to his sheep; and indeed many intermixers do injury one against the other, save those who believe, and do deeds of righteousness -- and how few they are!' And David thought that We had only tried him; therefore he sought forgiveness of his Lord, and he fell down, bowing, and he repented. ۩ 24 We therefore forgave him this; and indeed for him in Our presence are, surely, proximity and an excellent abode. 25 "O David, We have made you trustee on the earth. So judge between men equitably, and do not follow your lust lest it should lead you astray from the way of God. Surely for those who go astray from the way of God, is severe punishment, for having forgotten the Day of Reckoning. 26