And mention thou in the Book Maryam, what time she retired from her people to a place eastward. 16 We sent to her Our Spirit (Gabriel) in the resemblance of a perfect human. 17 She said, "Indeed, I seek refuge in the Most Merciful from you, [so leave me], if you should be fearing of Allah." 18 He said: "I am just a message-bearer of your Lord, I have come to grant you a most pure boy." 19 "How can I have a son," she said, "when no man has touched me, nor am I sinful?" 20 "Even so" he replied, "as such your Lord has said: 'Easy it is for Me. And We shall make him a sign to mankind and a mercy from Us. It is a matter decreed.'" 21 ۞ So she conceived him, and she went away with him to a far place. 22 And the birthpangs surprised her by the trunk of the palm-tree. She said, 'Would I had died ere this, and become a thing forgotten!' 23 He called from below to her: 'Do not sorrow, look, your Lord has provided a rivulet below you, 24 "And shake the trunk of date-palm towards you, it will let fall fresh ripe-dates upon you." 25 Eat, drink, and rejoice. Should you see a person going by, tell him that on this day you have promised the Beneficent God to fast and never talk to any human being." 26 Then she came to her people, carrying her baby. They said: "O Mary! You have committed a monstrous thing. 27 “O sister of Haroon, neither was your father an evil man nor was your mother of poor conduct!” 28 Thereupon she pointed to him. They exclaimed: "How can we talk to one who [as yet] is a little boy in the cradle?" 29 [But] he said, "I am God's servant. He has given me the Book and made me a prophet; 30 And He has made me blessed wherever I may be, and He has enjoined on me prayer and poor-rate so long as I live; 31 "(He) hath made me kind to my mother, and not overbearing or miserable; 32 "And Salam (peace) be upon me the day I was born, and the day I die, and the day I shall be raised alive!" 33 Such was Jesus, the son of Mary. That is the whole truth, about which they still dispute: 34 it does not befit the majesty of God that He should beget a son. Glory be to Him! He is far above that: when He decrees something, He says only, "Be!" and it is. 35 (Jesus only said:) "Surely God is my Lord and your Lord, so worship Him. This is the straight path." 36 But the parties have fallen into variance among themselves; then woe to those who disbelieve for the scene of a dreadful day. 37 How [clearly] they will hear and see the Day they come to Us, but the wrongdoers today are in clear error. 38 And warn them of the Day of anguish when the case hath been decided. Now they are in a state of carelessness, and they believe not. 39 Surely We inherit the earth and all those who are on it, and to Us they shall be returned. 40