Those who brought up that slander were a band from among you. Do not regard it as a misfortune, for it is good for you. Every one of them shall be held to account for the sin he has committed; and he who took the greater part in it shall have a terrible punishment. 11 Why, when you heard it, did not the believing men and believing women think good of one another and say, "This is an obvious falsehood"? 12 Why did they not produce four witnesses? Since they (the slanderers) have not produced witnesses! Then with Allah they are the liars. 13 Had it not been for the Grace of Allah and His Mercy unto you in this world and in the Hereafter, a great torment would have touched you for that whereof you had spoken. 14 When you were spreading it with your tongues and saying with your mouths things of which you had no knowledge, you considered it to be a trivial matter, but, in God's sight, it was very serious. 15 Why did you not, as soon as you heard of it, say, "It is not proper for us to utter such a thing? Glory be to Allah! This is a great slander." 16 Allah advises you never to speak like this again, if you have faith. 17 And Allah makes the Signs plain to you: for Allah is full of knowledge and wisdom. 18 Surely (as for) those who love that scandal should circulate respecting those who believe, they shall have a grievous chastisement in this world and the hereafter; and Allah knows, while you do not know. 19 But for the grace of God and His mercy (much harm would have been done); yet God is compassionate and kind. 20