they have only to wait for one single blast [of punishment]: it shall not be delayed by one whit. 15 They say: "Our Lord! Hasten on for us our fate before the Day of Reckoning." 16 Have patience upon what they say, and remember Our bondman Dawud, the one blessed with favours; he is indeed most inclined (towards His Lord). 17 Lo! We subdued the hills to hymn the praises (of their Lord) with him at nightfall and sunrise, 18 and [likewise] the birds in their assemblies: [together] they all would turn again and again unto Him [who had created them]. 19 And We strengthened his kingdom and endowed him with wisdom and decisive judgement. 20 ۞ Has the Story of the Disputants reached thee? Behold, they climbed over the wall of the private chamber; 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 Behold, this is my brother; he has ninety-nine ewes and I have only one ewe.” And yet he said: “Give her into my charge,” and he got the better of me in argument. 23 David said, "He has certainly been unjust in demanding your ewe from you. Most partners transgress against each other except for the righteously striving believers who are very few." David realized that it was a test from Us so he asked forgiveness from his Lord and knelt down before him in repentance. ۩ 24 So We forgave him this (lapse): he enjoyed, indeed, a Near Approach to Us, and a beautiful place of (Final) Return. 25 [We said], "O David, indeed We have made you a successor upon the earth, so judge between the people in truth and do not follow [your own] desire, as it will lead you astray from the way of Allah." Indeed, those who go astray from the way of Allah will have a severe punishment for having forgotten the Day of Account. 26