Some people say, "We believe in God and the Day of Judgment," but they are not true believers. 8 They would trick God and the believers, and only themselves they deceive, and they are not aware. 9 In their hearts is disease, and so God lets their disease increase; and grievous suffering awaits them because of their persistent lying. 10 And when it is said to them, "Do not cause corruption on the earth," they say, "We are but reformers." 11 but it is they who are really causing corruption, though they 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 To the believers they declare belief and, in secret to their own devils, they say, "We were only mocking". 14 Allah (befitting His Majesty) mocks them, leaving them to wander blindly in their rebellion. 15 These are they who buy error for the right direction, so their bargain shall bring no gain, nor are they the followers of the right direction. 16 Their likeness is as the likeness of him who kindleth a fire, then when it hath lit up that which is around him, Allah taketh away their light and leaveth them in darknesses where they see not 17 Deaf, dumb, and blind, they shall never 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 snatches away their sight. Every time it lights [the way] for them, they walk therein; but when darkness comes over them, they stand [still]. And if Allah had willed, He could have taken away their hearing and their sight. Indeed, Allah is over all things competent. 20