Of the people there are some who say: "We believe in Allah and the Last Day;" but they do not (really) believe. 8 They (think to) deceive Allah and those who believe, while they only deceive themselves, and perceive (it) not! 9 In their hearts is a disease, so Allah has increased their disease; and for them is a painful punishment, because of their lies. 10 When they are told, "Do not cause corruption in the land," they say, "We are only promoters of peace," 11 But it is they who are the evildoers, though they do not sense it. 12 And when they are told, "Believe as other people believe," they answer, "Shall we believe as the weak-minded believe?" Oh, verily, it is they, they who are weak-minded - but they know it not! 13 And when they meet those who have attained to faith, they assert, "We believe [as you believe]"; but when they find themselves alone with their evil impulses, they say: "Verily, we are with you; we were only mocking!" 14 God shall mock them, and shall lead them on blindly wandering in their insolence. 15 These are they who purchase error at the price of guidance, so their commerce doth not prosper, neither are they guided. 16 The likeness of them is as the likeness of a man who kindled a fire, and when it lit all about him God took away their light, and left them in darkness unseeing 17 deaf, dumb, blind -- so they shall not return; 18 Or, like (those who, under) a cloudburst from the sky with darkness, thunder and lightning, they thrust their fingers in their ears at the sound of every thunderclap for fear of death, and Allah encompasses the unbelievers. 19 The lightning almost takes away their sight; whenever it shines on them they walk in it, and when it becomes dark to them they stand still; and if Allah had pleased He would certainly have taken away their hearing and their sight; surely Allah has power over all things. 20