And of mankind, there are some (hypocrites) who say: "We believe in Allah and the Last Day" while in fact they believe not. 8 They would trick God and the believers, and only themselves they deceive, and they are not aware. 9 In their hearts is a sickness, and God has increased their sickness, and there awaits them a painful chastisement for that they have cried lies. 10 When it is said to them, 'Do not corruption in the land', they say, 'We are only ones that put things right.' 11 Now surely they themselves are the mischief makers, but they do not perceive. 12 When asked to believe as others do, they say: "Should we believe like fools?" And yet they are the fools, even though they do not know. 13 And when they meet those who have believed, they say: We believe. And when they are alone with their satans, they say: verily we are with you, we were but mocking. 14 But God will turn the joke against them and allow them to sink deeper into evil and wander perplexed in their wickedness. 15 [for] it is they who have taken error in exchange for guidance; and neither has their bargain brought them gain, nor have they found guidance [elsewhere]. 16 Their parable is like the parable of one who kindled a fire, but when it had illumined all around him, Allah took away their light, and left them in utter darkness-- they do not see. 17 Deaf, dumb and blind; and they are not to return. 18 Or like a rainstorm from the sky, wherein is darkness, thunder and the flash of lightning. They thrust their fingers in their ears by reason of the thunder-claps, for fear of death, Allah encompasseth the disbelievers (in His guidance, His omniscience and His omnipotence). 19 The lightning well-nigh snatcheth away their sight; whensoever it flasheth on them, they walk therein, and when it becometh dark unto them, they stand still. And had Allah willed He would of a surety have taken away their hearing and their sights; verily Allah is over everything potent. 20