And of the people are some who say, "We believe in Allah and the Last Day," but they are not believers. 8 They [think to] deceive Allah and those who believe, but they deceive not except themselves and perceive [it] not. 9 In their hearts is disease, so Allah has increased their disease; and for them is a painful punishment because they [habitually] used to lie. 10 When they are told not to commit corruption in the land, they reply, "We are only reformers". 11 They, certainly, are corrupt but do not realize it. 12 And when they are told, "Believe as other people have believed," they say, "Are we to believe just as fools believe?" Surely they are the fools, even though they do not realize it. 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 Allah mocketh back at them, and letteth them in their exorbitance wander bewildered. 15 Those are the ones who have purchased error [in exchange] for guidance, so their transaction has brought no profit, nor were 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 They are deaf, blind, and dumb and cannot regain their senses. 18 Or [the parable] of a violent cloudburst in the sky, with utter darkness, thunder and lightning: they put their fingers into their ears to keep out the peals of thunder, in terror of death; but God encompasses [with His might] all who deny the truth. 19 The lightning almost takes away their vision. When the lightning brightens their surroundings, they walk and when it is dark, they stand still. Had God wanted, He could have taken away their hearing and their vision. God has power over all things. 20