The hypocrites seek to outwit God -- but it is He who outwits them. And when they stand up for prayer, they do so reluctantly and to be seen by others, and they hardly remember God at all. 142 Fluctuating in the middle; neither here (in faith) nor there (in disbelief); and for one whom Allah sends astray, you will not find a way. 143 O Ye who believe! take not infidels for friends, instead of believers. Would ye give Allah against you a manifest warranty! 144 Indeed, the hypocrites will be in the lowest depths of the Fire - and never will you find for them a helper - 145 Except those who shall yet repent and amend and hold fast by Allah and make their religion exclusive for Allah. These then shall be with the believers, and presently Allah shall give the believers a mighty hire. 146 Why should Allah chastise you if you are grateful and believe? And Allah is the Multiplier of rewards, Knowing 147 ۞ God does not like ill (of others) spoken about, except by him who has been wronged. For God hears all and knows everything. 148 Whether you act virtuously, in public or in private, or pardon (people's) faults, God is All-forgiving and All-powerful. 149 Indeed, those who disbelieve in Allah and His messengers and wish to discriminate between Allah and His messengers and say, "We believe in some and disbelieve in others," and wish to adopt a way in between - 150 It is they, indeed they, who are, beyond all doubt, unbelievers; and for the unbelievers We have prepared a humiliating chastisement. 151 And those who believe in Allah and His apostles and do not make a distinction between any of them-- Allah will grant them their rewards; and Allah is Forgiving, Merciful. 152