And of the people are some who say, "We believe in Allah and the Last Day," but they are not believers. 8 They (try to) deceive God and those who believe, yet deceive none but themselves although they do not know. 9 There is a sickness in their hearts which Allah has increased. For them there is a painful punishment because they lie. 10 And when it said unto them: act not corruptly on the earth, they say: we are but reconcilers. 11 Now surely they themselves are the mischief makers, but they do not perceive. 12 When asked to believe as others do, they say: "Should we believe like fools?" And yet they are the fools, even though 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] Allah mocks them and prolongs them in their transgression [while] they wander blindly. 15 These are they who purchased error for guidance, but their traffic profited not, nor have they ever become guided. 16 (Their case) is like that of one who kindles a fire and when it grows bright God takes away its light leaving him in darkness (wherein) he cannot see (anything). 17 Deaf, dumb, blind; wherefore they will not 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 takes away their sight; whenever it shines on them they walk in it, and when it becomes dark to them they stand still; and if Allah had pleased He would certainly have taken away their hearing and their sight; surely Allah has power over all things. 20