Of the people there are some who say: "We believe in Allah and the Last Day;" but they do not (really) believe. 8 They thus try to deceive Allah and the Believers, but they succeed in deceiving none except themselves and they realize it not. 9 In their hearts is a disease, so Allah has increased their disease; and for them is a painful punishment, because of their lies. 10 And when it is said unto them: Make not mischief in the earth, they say: We are peacemakers only. 11 Pay heed! It is they who are mischievous, but they do not have sense. 12 And when it said unto them: believe even as mankind have believed, they say: shall we believe even as the fools have believed? Lo! verily it is they who are the fools; and yet they know not. 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 God will requite them for their mockery, and will leave them for a while in their overweening arrogance, blindly stumbling to and fro: 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 They are like a man who kindles a fire, and when its glow has illumined the air God takes away their light leaving them in the dark where they will not be able to see. 17 They are deaf, dumb, and blind, so they return not (to the Right Path). 18 Or (still another parable may be cited to depict their condition): heavy rain is falling from the sky, accompanied by pitch darkness, thunder and lightning. When they hear the thunderclap, they thrust their fingers into their ears for fear of death, but Allah is encircling the disbelievers on all sides. 19 The lightning almost snatches away their sight, whenever it flashes upon them they walk on, but as soon as it darkens they stand still. Indeed, if Allah willed, He could take away their sight and hearing. Allah has power over all things. 20