And these wait but for one shout, wherefrom there will be no deferment. 15 They say: “Our Lord, hasten to us our share (of chastisement) 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 Indeed We subjected the hills to say the praise with him, at night and at morn. 18 And the birds gathered together; all joined in singing with him. 19 We made his kingdom strong and gave him wisdom and decisive speech. 20 ۞ Have you heard of the litigants who jumped over the wall into his chamber? 21 and entered where David was (praying). He was frightened, so they said, "Do not be afraid. We are only two disputing parties of which one of us has transgressed against the other. Judge between us with truth and justice and guide us to the right path". 22 One of them said, "This is my brother who has ninety-nine ewes when I have only one. He has demanded me to place that one in his custody; he had the stronger 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 a near access to Us, and a good place of (final) return (Paradise). 25 'David, behold, We have appointed thee a viceroy in the earth; therefore judge between men justly, and follow not caprice, lest it lead thee astray from the way of God. Surely those who go astray from the way of God -- there awaits them a terrible chastisement, for that they have forgotten the Day of Reckoning.' 26