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 Wavering between them, [belonging] neither to the believers nor to the disbelievers. And whoever Allah leaves astray - never will you find for him a way. 143 O believers, take not the unbelievers as friends instead of the believers; or do you desire to give God over you a clear authority? 144 Surely the hypocrites shall be in the lowest depth of the Fire and you shall find none to come to their help, 145 But those who repent and amend, and hold firmly to God, and are sincere and wholly obedient to God, are surely with the faithful; and God will bestow on the faithful a great reward. 146 Why should Allah punish you if you have thanked (Him) and have believed in Him. And Allah is Ever All-Appreciative (of good), All-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 If ye do good openly or keep it secret, or forgive evil, lo! Allah is ever Forgiving, Powerful. 149 Those who disbelieve in God and His Messengers and desire to make division between God and His Messengers, and say, 'We believe in part, and disbelieve in part,' desiring to take between this and that a way -- 150 but, in fact, they are unbelievers, and for them We have prepared a humiliating torment. 151 As for those who believe in God and make no distinction between His Messengers, they will receive His reward. God is All-forgiving and All-merciful. 152