There are some people who say: 'We believe in Allah and the Last Day, 'yet they are not believers. 8 They seek to deceive Allah and those who believe, but they deceive none except themselves, though they do not sense it. 9 There is a sickness in their hearts which Allah has increased. For them there is a painful punishment because they lie. 10 When they are told not to commit corruption in the land, they reply, "We are only reformers". 11 Verily! They are the ones who make mischief, but they perceive not. 12 When it is said to them: "Believe as the others believe:" They say: "Shall we believe as the fools believe?" Nay, of a surety they are the fools, but 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 But God will turn the joke against them and allow them to sink deeper into evil and wander perplexed in their wickedness. 15 Such are those who barter away guidance for error, their trade did not profit (them), nor are they guided. 16 Their parable is like the parable of one who kindled a fire, but when it had illumined all around him, Allah took away their light, and left them in utter darkness-- they do not see. 17 They are deaf, dumb, and blind, so they return not (to the Right Path). 18 or as a cloudburst out of heaven in which is darkness, and thunder, and lightning -- they put their fingers in their ears against the thunderclaps, fearful of death; and God encompasses the unbelievers; 19 The lightning well-nigh snatcheth away their sight; whensoever it flasheth on them, they walk therein, and when it becometh dark unto them, they stand still. And had Allah willed He would of a surety have taken away their hearing and their sights; verily Allah is over everything potent. 20