(12) [Allah] said, "O John, take the Scripture with determination." And We gave him judgement [while yet] a boy

(13) And affection from Us and purity, and he was fearing of Allah

(14) And dutiful to his parents, and he was not a disobedient tyrant.

(15) And peace be upon him the day he was born and the day he dies and the day he is raised alive.

(16) And mention, [O Muhammad], in the Book [the story of] Mary, when she withdrew from her family to a place toward the east.

(17) And she took, in seclusion from them, a screen. Then We sent to her Our Angel, and he represented himself to her as a well-proportioned man.

(18) She said, "Indeed, I seek refuge in the Most Merciful from you, [so leave me], if you should be fearing of Allah."

(19) He said, "I am only the messenger of your Lord to give you [news of] a pure boy."

(20) She said, "How can I have a boy while no man has touched me and I have not been unchaste?"

(21) He said, "Thus [it will be]; your Lord says, 'It is easy for Me, and We will make him a sign to the people and a mercy from Us. And it is a matter [already] decreed.' "

(22) So she conceived him, and she withdrew with him to a remote place.

(23) And the pains of childbirth drove her to the trunk of a palm tree. She said, "Oh, I wish I had died before this and was in oblivion, forgotten."

(24) But he called her from below her, "Do not grieve; your Lord has provided beneath you a stream.

(25) And shake toward you the trunk of the palm tree; it will drop upon you ripe, fresh dates.