they have only to wait for one single blast [of punishment]: it shall not be delayed by one whit. 15 And they say: O our Lord! hasten on to us our portion before the day of reckoning. 16 Bear patiently with what they say, and remember Our worshiper David, a man of might. He was ever turning in repentance. 17 Verily We so subjected the mountains that they should hallow Us with him at nightfall and sunrise. 18 and the birds, too, in flocks, all turned to Him. 19 We strengthened his kingdom, and gave him wisdom and sound judgment in speech and decision. 20 ۞ And hath the tidings of the contending parties reached thee, when they walled the apartment? 21 when they entered upon David, and he took fright at them; and they said, 'Fear not; two disputants we are -- one of us has injured the other; so judge between us justly, and transgress not, and guide us to the right path.' 22 “This is my brother; he has ninety nine ewes and I have one ewe; and he now says ‘Give that one also to me’ – and he is very demanding in speech.” 23 David said: “He has certainly wronged you in seeking to add your ewe to his ewes; and indeed many who live together commit excesses, one to the other, except those that believe and act righteously; and they are but few.” (While so saying) David realized that it is We Who have put him to test; therefore, he sought the forgiveness of his Lord, and fell down, bowing and penitently turning (to Him). ۩ 24 So We forgave him that, and verily, for him is a near access to Us, and a good place of (final) return (Paradise). 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