There are some people who say: 'We believe in Allah and the Last Day, 'yet they are not believers. 8 They seek to deceive God and the believers, but they only deceive themselves, though they do not realize 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 it is said to them, 'Do not corruption in the land', they say, 'We are only ones that put things right.' 11 Lo! verily it is they who are the corrupters, and yet they perceive not. 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 God will requite them for their mockery, and draw them on, for a while, to wander blindly in their insolence. 15 Such are those who barter away guidance for error, their trade did not profit (them), nor are they guided. 16 The likeness of them is as the likeness of a man who kindled a fire, and when it lit all about him God took away their light, and left them in darkness unseeing 17 Deaf, dumb, blind; wherefore they will not return. 18 Or it is like that of a rain storm with darkness, thunder, and lightning approaching. They cover their ears for fear of thunder and death. God encompasses those who deny His words. 19 Verily the lightning could snatch away their eyes. When it flashes forth they walk in its flare. When darkness returns they stand still. And if the Lord wills so He could take away their hearing and sight; surely God is all-powerful. 20