And of mankind, there are some (hypocrites) who say: "We believe in Allah and the Last Day" while in fact they believe not. 8 They think to beguile Allah and those who believe, and they beguile none save themselves; but they perceive not. 9 A sickness exists in their hearts to which God adds more sickness. Besides this, they will suffer a painful punishment as a result of the lie which they speak. 10 And when it is said to them, Do not make mischief in the land, they say: We are but peace-makers. 11 Are not they indeed the mischief-makers? But they perceive not. 12 When it is said to them, 'Believe as the people believe', they say, 'Shall we believe, as fools believe?' Truly, they are the foolish ones, but they do not know. 13 When they meet the faithful they say: "We believe;" but when alone with the devils their fellows, they say: "We are really with you; we were joking." 14 Allah (Himself) doth mock them, leaving them to wander blindly on in their contumacy. 15 These are they who have purchased error for guidance, so their commerce was profitless. And they were not guided. 16 Their likeness is as the likeness of one who kindled a fire; then, when it lighted all around him, Allah took away their light and left them in darkness. (So) they could not see. 17 Deaf, dumb, blind - and they cannot turn back. 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