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 Obedience (to Allah) and good words (were better for them). And when the matter (preparation for Jihad) is resolved on, then if they had been true to Allah, it would have been better for them. 21 Then, belike ye are, if ye turn, to cause corruption in the earth and to sever your kinship. 22 Such are they whom Allah has cursed, so that He has made them deaf and blinded their sight. 23 Do they not then think deeply in the Quran, or are their hearts locked up (from understanding it)? 24 As for those who turn back in their footsteps after the guidance of Allah has become clear to them, it was satan who tempted them, and Allah has 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 How shall it be, when the angels take them, beating their faces and their backs? 27 That is because they followed that which angered Allah and detested His good-will; so He made their works of non-effect. 28