Ali Quli Qarai, The Qur’ān with a Phrase-by-Phrase English Translation (2005)
18 Indeed We disposed the mountains
to glorify [Allah] with him
at evening and dawn,
19 and the birds [as well], mustered [in flocks],
all echoing him [in a chorus].
20 We made his kingdom firm
and gave him wisdom and conclusive speech.
21 Has there not come to you
the account of the contenders,
when they scaled the wall into the sanctuary?1
22 When they entered into the presence of David,
he was alarmed by them.
They said, ‘Do not be afraid.
[We are only] two contenders:
one of us has bullied the other.
So judge justly between us,
and do not exceed [the bounds of justice],
and show us the right path.’
23 ‘Indeed this brother of mine
has ninety-nine ewes,
while I have only a single ewe,
and [yet] he says, ‘Commit it to my care,’
and he browbeats me in speech.’
24 He said, ‘He has certainly wronged you
by asking your ewe in addition to his ewes,
and indeed many partners bully one another,
except such as have faith
1 Or ‘sanctum.’
