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027.009 "O Moses! verily, I am God, the exalted in might, the wise!....
027.010 "Now do thou throw thy rod!" But when he saw it moving (of its own accord)as if it had been a snake, he turned
back in retreat, and retraced not his steps: "O Moses!" (it was said), "Fear not: truly, in My presence, those called as
apostles have no fear,-
027.011 "But if any have done wrong and have thereafter substituted good to take the place of evil, truly, I am
Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
027.012 "Now put thy hand into thy bosom, and it will come forth white without stain (or harm): (these are) among
the nine Signs (thou wilt take) to Pharaoh and his people: for they are a people rebellious in transgression."
027.013 But when Our Signs came to them, that should have opened their eyes, they said: "This is sorcery manifest!"
027.014 And they rejected those Signs in iniquity and arrogance, though their souls were convinced thereof: so see
what was the end of those who acted corruptly!
027.015 We gave (in the past) knowledge to David and Solomon: And they both said: "Praise be to God, Who has
favoured us above many of his servants who believe!"
027.016 And Solomon was David's heir. He said: "O ye people! We have been taught the speech of birds, and on us has
been bestowed (a little) of all things: this is indeed Grace manifest (from God.)"
027.017 And before Solomon were marshalled his hosts,- of Jinns and men and birds, and they were all kept in order
and ranks.
027.018 At length, when they came to a (lowly) valley of ants, one of the ants said: "O ye ants, get into your habitations,
lest Solomon and his hosts crush you (under foot) without knowing it."
027.019 So he smiled, amused at her speech; and he said: "O my Lord! so order me that I may be grateful for Thy
favours, which thou hast bestowed on me and on my parents, and that I may work the righteousness that will please
Thee: And admit me, by Thy Grace, to the ranks of Thy righteous Servants."
027.020 And he took a muster of the Birds; and he said: "Why is it I see not the Hoopoe? Or is he among the
absentees?
027.021 "I will certainly punish him with a severe penalty, or execute him, unless he bring me a clear reason (for
absence)."
027.022 But the Hoopoe tarried not far: he (came up and) said: "I have compassed (territory) which thou hast not
compassed, and I have come to thee from Saba with tidings true.
027.023 "I found (there) a woman ruling over them and provided with every requisite; and she has a magnificent throne.
027.024 "I found her and her people worshipping the sun besides God: Satan has made their deeds seem pleasing in
their eyes, and has kept them away from the Path,- so they receive no guidance,-
027.025 "(Kept them away from the Path), that they should not worship God, Who brings to light what is hidden in the
heavens and the earth, and knows what ye hide and what ye reveal.
027.026 "God!- there is no god but He!- Lord of the Throne Supreme!"
027.027 (Solomon) said: "Soon shall we see whether thou hast told the truth or lied!
027.028 "Go thou, with this letter of mine, and deliver it to them: then draw back from them, and (wait to) see what
answer they return"...
027.029 (The queen) said: "Ye chiefs! here is delivered to me - a letter worthy of respect.
027.030 "It is from Solomon, and is (as follows): 'In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful:
027.031 "'Be ye not arrogant against me, but come to me in submission (to the true Religion).'"
027.032 She said: "Ye chiefs! advise me in (this) my affair: no affair have I decided except in your presence."
027.033 They said: "We are endued with strength, and given to vehement war: but the command is with thee; so
consider what thou wilt command."
027.034 She said: "Kings, when they enter a country, despoil it, and make the noblest of its people its meanest thus
do they behave.
027.035 "But I am going to send him a present, and (wait) to see with what (answer) return (my) ambassadors."
027.036 Now when (the embassy) came to Solomon, he said: "Will ye give me abundance in wealth? But that which
God has given me is better than that which He has given you! Nay it is ye who rejoice in your gift!
027.037 "Go back to them, and be sure we shall come to them with such hosts as they will never be able to meet: We