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 with what they say, and remember Our worshiper David, a man of might. He was ever turning in repentance. 17 Indeed We subjected the hills to say the praise with him, at night and at morn. 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 ۞ Have you heard of the litigants who jumped over the wall into his chamber? 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 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 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 So We forgave him that; and verily for him is an approach with us, and a happy retreat. 25 We said, "David, We have given you mastery over the land. Judge fairly between people. Do not follow your desires, lest they divert you from God's path: those who wander from His path will have a severe punishment, because they ignore the Day of Reckoning." 26