Then there are some who say, "We believe in Allah and the Last Day", whereas they do not believe at all. 8 They would trick God and the believers, and only themselves they deceive, and they are not aware. 9 In their hearts is disease, and so God lets their disease increase; and grievous suffering awaits them because of their persistent lying. 10 And when it is said to them, "Do not cause corruption on the earth," they say, "We are but reformers." 11 But it is they who are the evildoers, though they do not sense it. 12 When it is said to them: "Believe as the others believe:" They say: "Shall we believe as the fools believe?" Nay, of a surety they are the fools, but they do not know. 13 And when they meet those who believe, they say, "We believe"; but when they are alone with their evil ones, they say, "Indeed, we are with you; we were only mockers." 14 God will requite them for their mockery, and draw them on, for a while, to wander blindly in their insolence. 15 These are they who have bartered Guidance for error: But their traffic is profitless, and they have lost true direction, 16 They are like those who kindled a fire, and when it lighted up all around them, God took away their sight and left them in utter darkness, unable to see -- 17 They are deaf, blind, and dumb and cannot regain their senses. 18 Or their case is like that of heavy rain pouring down from the clouds, accompanied by darkness, thunder and lightning; they thrust their fingers in their ears at the sound of thunderclaps for fear of death. God thus encompasses those who deny the truth. 19 The lightning almost takes away their vision. When the lightning brightens their surroundings, they walk and when it is dark, they stand still. Had God wanted, He could have taken away their hearing and their vision. God has power over all things. 20