(20) And he took attendance of the birds and said, "Why do I not see the hoopoe - or is he among the absent? (21) I will surely punish him with a severe punishment or slaughter him unless he brings me clear authorization. (22) But the hoopoe stayed not long and said, "I have encompassed [in knowledge] that which you have not encompassed, and I have come to you from Sheba with certain news. (23) Indeed, I found [there] a woman ruling them, and she has been given of all things, and she has a great throne. (24) I found her and her people prostrating to the sun instead of Allah, and Satan has made their deeds pleasing to them and averted them from [His] way, so they are not guided. (25) [And] so they do not prostrate to Allah, who brings forth what is hidden within the heavens and the earth and knows what you conceal and what you declare. (26) Allah - there is no deity except Him, Lord of the Great Throne. (27) [Solomon] said, "We will see whether you were truthful or were of the liars. (28) Take this letter of mine and deliver it to them. Then leave them and see what [answer] they will return.