Some people say, "We believe in God and the Day of Judgment," but they are not true believers. 8 They think to beguile Allah and those who believe, and they beguile none save themselves; but they perceive not. 9 In their hearts is a disease, and Allah increaseth their disease. A painful doom is theirs because they lie. 10 Whenever it is said to them, "Spread not disorder on the earth", their reply is, "We only seek to put things aright". 11 But it is they who are the evildoers, though they do not sense it. 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 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 mocks them and gives them time to continue blindly in their transgressions. 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 Their likeness is as the likeness of one who kindleth fire, and when it sheddeth its light around him Allah taketh away their light and leaveth them in darkness, where they cannot see, 17 deaf, dumb, and blind: they will never return [to the right path]. 18 Or like a rainstorm from the sky, in which are darkness, thunder and lightning; they thrust their fingers in their ears due to the thunderclaps, fearing death; and Allah has the disbelievers encompassed. 19 The lightning almost snatches away their sight, whenever it flashes for them, they walk therein, and when darkness covers them, they stand still. And if Allah willed, He could have taken away their hearing and their sight. Certainly, Allah has power over all things. 20