And there are some people who say: We believe in Allah and the last day; and they are not at all believers. 8 They would deceive God and those who have attained to faith - the while they deceive none but themselves, and perceive it not. 9 In their hearts is disease, and so God lets their disease increase; and grievous suffering awaits them because of their persistent lying. 10 When asked to desist from spreading corruption in the land they say: "Why, we are reformers." 11 but it is they who are really causing corruption, though they do not realize it. 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 those who believe, they say, "We, too, are believers", but when they privily meet their evil geniuses, they say, "Indeed we are with you: we are only mocking at these people". 14 (Little do they realize that) Allah is mocking at them. He gives them rope enough, and they wander on and on blindly in their mischief and rebellion. 15 Such are those who have taken misguidance in exchange for guidance; but their bargain does not profit them, nor have they found true guidance. 16 Their example is that of one who kindled a fire, but when it illuminated what was around him, Allah took away their light and left them in darkness [so] they could not see. 17 Deaf, dumb and blind - so they will not return [to the right path]. 18 Or [it is] like a rainstorm from the sky within which is darkness, thunder and lightning. They put their fingers in their ears against the thunderclaps in dread of death. But Allah is encompassing of the disbelievers. 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