[19:12]

(And it was said unto his son): O John! Hold fast the Scripture. And we gave him wisdom when a child,

[19:13]

And compassion from Our presence, and purity; and he was devout,

[19:14]

And dutiful toward his parents. And he was not arrogant, rebellious.

[19:15]

Peace on him the day he was born, and the day he dieth and the day he shall be raised alive!

[19:16]

And make mention of Mary in the Scripture, when she had withdrawn from her people to a chamber looking East,

[19:17]

And had chosen seclusion from them. Then We sent unto her Our Spirit and it assumed for her the likeness of a perfect man.

[19:18]

She said: Lo! I seek refuge in the Beneficent One from thee, if thou art God-fearing.

[19:19]

He said: I am only a messenger of thy Lord, that I may bestow on thee a faultless son.

[19:20]

She said: How can I have a son when no mortal hath touched me, neither have I been unchaste ?

[19:21]

He said: So (it will be). Thy Lord saith: It is easy for Me. And (it will be) that We may make of him a revelation for mankind and a mercy from Us, and it is a thing ordained.

[19:22]

And she conceived him, and she withdrew with him to a far place.

[19:23]

And the pangs of childbirth drove her unto the trunk of the palm- tree. She said: Oh, would that I had died ere this and had become a thing of naught, forgotten!

[19:24]

Then (one) cried unto her from below her, saying: Grieve not! Thy Lord hath placed a rivulet beneath thee,

[19:25]

And shake the trunk of the palm-tree toward thee, thou wilt cause ripe dates to fall upon thee.