Nor do these await aught but a single cry, there being no delay in it. 15 They say: Our Lord! Hasten on for us our fate before the Day of Reckoning. 16 Bear patiently what they say, and remember Our servant David, the man of might; he was a penitent. 17 With him We had subjected the mountains that they join him in celebrating Allah's glory, evening and morning, 18 And (so did) the birds assembled: all with him [Dawud (David)] did turn (to Allah i.e. glorified His Praises). 19 We strengthened his kingdom, and gave him wisdom and speech decisive. 20 ۞ Have you heard the story of the disputants who entered his chamber by climbing over the wall? 21 As they came upon David, and he shrank back in fear from them, they said: "Fear not! [We are but] two litigants. One of us has wronged the other: so judge thou between us with justice, and deviate not from what is right, and show [both of] us the way to rectitude. 22 "This brother of mine has ninety-nine ewes and I have only one. He said, "Let me have charge of it," and got the better of me with his words." 23 David said, "He has certainly wronged you by demanding that your ewe be added to his ewes! Thus many partners wrong one another -- [all] save those who believe [in God] and do righteous deeds: but how few are they!" And [suddenly] David understood that We were only putting him to the test, and so he asked his Lord to forgive him his sins; he fell to his knees, and turned to Him in repentance. ۩ 24 We forgave him his sins. His reward will be nearness to Us, a good place to return to. 25 [And We said:] "O David! Behold, We have made thee a [prophet and thus, Our] vicegerent on earth: judge, then, between men with justice, and do not follow vain desire, lest it lead thee astray from the path of God: verily, for those who go astray from the path of God there is suffering severe in store for having forgotten the Day of Reckoning!" 26