NOW THOSE who have attained to faith say: "Would that a revelation [allowing us to fight] was bestowed from on high!" But now that a revelation clear in and by itself, mentioning war, has been bestowed from on high, thou canst see those in whose hearts is disease looking at thee, [O Muhammad,] with the look of one who is about to faint for fear of death! And yet, far better for them would be 20 Their obedience and speech are known. Then when the affair is determined, if even then they gave credence unto Allah, it would have been better for them. 21 So do you* portray that if you get governance, you would spread chaos in the land and sever your relations? (* The hypocrites) 22 Those are they whom God has cursed, and so made them deaf, and blinded their eyes. 23 Will they not, then, ponder over this Quran? Or are there locks upon their hearts? 24 Those who have turned back in their traces after the guidance has become clear to them, Satan it was that tempted them, and God respited them. 25 That is because they say unto those who hate what Allah hath revealed: We will obey you in some matters; and Allah knoweth their secret talk. 26 hence, how [will they fare] when the angels gather them in death, striking their faces and their backs? 27 That is because they have followed a way that angered Allah, and have been averse to His good pleasure. So He reduced all their works to nought. 28