Behold, the hypocrites seek to deceive Allah, but it is they who are being deluded by Him. When they rise to Prayer, they rise reluctantly, and only to be seen by men. They remember Allah but little. 142 They dangle between the one and the other (faith and disbelief), and belong neither to these nor to those completely. And he whom Allah lets go astray, for him you can find no way. 143 O ye who believe! Take not for friends unbelievers rather than believers: Do ye wish to offer Allah an open proof against yourselves? 144 Surely the hypocrites are in the lowest stage of the fire and you shall not find a helper for them. 145 Except those who repented and reformed themselves and held fast to Allah’s rope and made their religion sincerely only for Allah – so they are with the Muslims; and Allah will soon bestow upon the believers a great reward. 146 Why should God punish you, if you render thanks to Him and believe in Him? God is appreciative and aware. 147 ۞ Allah approveth not the publishment of evil speech, unless by one who hath been wronged; and Allah is ever Hearing, Knowing. 148 Whether you do some good openly or in secret, or forgive an ill done to you, (know) that God is forgiving and all-powerful. 149 Verily, those who disbelieve in Allah and His Messengers and wish to make distinction between Allah and His Messengers (by believing in Allah and disbelieving in His Messengers) saying, "We believe in some but reject others," and wish to adopt a way in between. 150 These are the real disbelievers; and for the disbelievers We have kept prepared a disgraceful punishment. 151 But those who believe in God and His apostles and make no distinction among any of them, will be given by Him their recompense; for God is forgiving and kind. 152