And mention thou in the Book Maryam, what time she retired from her people to a place eastward. 16 and she took a veil apart from them; then We sent unto her Our Spirit that presented himself to her a man without fault. 17 When she saw him, she said, "I seek refuge in the compassionate God from you; [do not come near] if you fear the Lord." 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 can I have a son, when no man has touched me, nor am I unchaste?" 20 He said: "So (it will be), your Lord said: 'That is easy for Me (Allah): And (We wish) to appoint him as a sign to mankind and a mercy from Us (Allah), and it is a matter (already) decreed, (by Allah). 21 ۞ When she conceived him she went away to a distant 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 (The angel) Therefore called her from below her, “Do not grieve – your Lord has made a river flow below you.” 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 be consoled. And if thou meetest any mortal, say: Lo! I have vowed a fast unto the Beneficent, and may not speak this day to any mortal. 26 Then she brought him to her nation carrying him. They said: Maryam! assuredly thou hast brought a thing unheard Of. 27 O sister of Harun: thy father was not a man of evil, nor was thy mother a harlot. 28 Then she pointed to him. They said: "How can we talk to one who is a child in the cradle?" 29 "I am a servant of God," he answered. "He has given me a Book and made me a prophet, 30 He has blessed me no matter where I dwell, commanded me to worship Him and pay the religious tax for as long as I live. 31 “And has made me good to my mother and not made me forceful, ill-fated.” 32 I was born with peace and I shall die and be brought to life again with peace." 33 Such was the true story of Jesus, the son of Mary, about which they dispute bitterly. 34 God is too Exalted to have a son. When He decides to bring some thing into existence He needs only command it to exist and it comes into existence. 35 Verily Allah is my Lord and your Lord: Him therefore serve ye: this is a Way that is straight. 36 (The followers of Jesus) turned themselves into quarrelling sects. The disbelievers shall face a woeful condition on the great Day (of Judgment). 37 How [clearly] they will hear and see the Day they come to Us, but the wrongdoers today are in clear error. 38 Warn them of the woeful day when the final decree will be issued; they are neglectful and faithless. 39 Indeed, it is We who will inherit the earth and whoever is on it, and to Us they will be returned. 40