And mention thou in the Book Maryam, what time she retired from her people to a place eastward. 16 So she took a veil (to screen herself) from them; then We sent to her Our spirit, and there appeared to her a well-made man. 17 She said: "Verily! I seek refuge with the Most Beneficent (Allah) from you, if you do fear Allah." 18 'I am the Messenger of your Lord' he replied, 'and have come to give you a pure boy' 19 "How can I have a son," she said, "when no man has touched me, nor am I sinful?" 20 [The angel] answered: "Thus it is; [but] thy Sustainer says, 'This is easy for Me; and [thou shalt have a son,] so that We might make him a symbol unto mankind and an act of grace from US. And it was a thing decreed [by God]: 21 ۞ She conceived the child and retreated with him to a distant and solitary place. 22 Then the pangs of childbirth brought her to the base of the palm-tree; she said, “Oh, if only had I died before this and had become forgotten, unremembered.” 23 (The angel) Therefore called her from below her, “Do not grieve – your Lord has made a river flow below you.” 24 And shake the trunk of the palm-tree toward thee, thou wilt cause ripe dates to fall upon thee. 25 Eat and drink and rejoice. And if you see any human being say, 'I have vowed a fast [of silence] to the Gracious God, and will not speak with any human being today.'" 26 At length she brought the (babe) to her people, carrying him (in her arms). They said: "O Mary! truly an amazing thing hast thou brought! 27 O sister of Aaron, your father was never an evil man, nor was your mother unchaste' 28 But she pointed to him. They said: How should we speak to one who was a child in the cradle? 29 The child proclaimed, “I am Allah’s bondman; He has given me the Book and made me a Herald of the Hidden (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 Peace on me the day I was born, and the day I die, and the day I shall be raised alive! 33 Such was (Prophet) Jesus, the son of Mary. A saying of truth, concerning what they doubt. 34 It beseems not Allah that He should take to Himself a son, glory to be Him; when He has decreed a matter He only says to it "Be," and it is. 35 Verily Allah is my Lord and your Lord: Him therefore serve ye: this is a Way that is straight. 36 Then the sects have differed among themselves; so woe to those who disbelieve in the witness of a Day Mighty! 37 Much will they listen and much will they see, on the Day when they come to Us, but today the unjust are in open error. 38 Warn them of the woeful day when the final decree will be issued; they are neglectful and faithless. 39 Ultimately, We shall inherit the earth and whatever is on it; to Us shall they be returned. 40