And these wait but for one shout, wherefrom there will be no deferment. 15 And they say, "Our Lord, hasten for us our share [of the punishment] before the Day of Account" 16 Bear patiently what they say, and remember Our servant Dawood, the possessor of power; surely he was frequent in returning (to Allah). 17 We subjugated the chiefs (of tribes) to struggle day and night with him, 18 And the birds gathered together; all joined in singing with him. 19 We strengthened his kingdom, and gave him wisdom and sound judgment in speech and decision. 20 ۞ Has the story of the litigants reached you -- of those who entered his private chambers 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 Indeed this, my brother, has ninety-nine ewes, and I have one ewe; so he said, 'Entrust her to me,' and he overpowered me in speech." 23 [David] said, "He has certainly wronged you in demanding your ewe [in addition] to his ewes. And indeed, many associates oppress one another, except for those who believe and do righteous deeds - and few are they." And David became certain that We had tried him, and he asked forgiveness of his Lord and fell down bowing [in prostration] and turned in repentance [to Allah]. ۩ 24 So We forgave him that; and indeed, for him is nearness to Us and a good place of return. 25 (We said to him): “O David, We have appointed you vicegerent on earth. Therefore, rule among people with justice and do not follow (your) desire lest it should lead you astray from Allah's Path. Allah's severe chastisement awaits those who stray away from Allah's Path, for they had forgotten the Day of Reckoning. 26