Those who brought forward the lie are a body among yourselves: think it not to be an evil to you; On the contrary it is good for you: to every man among them (will come the punishment) of the sin that he earned, and to him who took on himself the lead among them, will be a penalty grievous. 11 Why, when you heard it, did the believing men and women not of their own account think good thoughts, and say, 'This is a manifest calumny'? 12 Would that they had brought four witnesses to testify to their report. Since they brought none, they are liars before God. 13 Were it not for the grace of God and His mercy upon you in this world and the next, you would have suffered a great affliction for the false accusation. 14 When you were spreading it with your tongues and saying with your mouths things of which you had no knowledge, you considered it to be a trivial matter, but, in God's sight, it was very serious. 15 And [once again]: Why do you not say, whenever you hear such [a rumour,] "It does not behove us to speak of this, O Thou who art limitless in Thy glory: this is an awesome calumny"? 16 God warns you never to repeat the like of it again, if you are true believers. 17 And Allah makes clear to you the communications; and Allah is Knowing, Wise. 18 Those who desire that indecencies should spread among the believers, will have a painful chastisement in this world and the Hereafter. God knows, and you do not know. 19 And were it not for Allah's grace on you and His mercy, and that Allah is Compassionate, Merciful. 20