And some men there are who say, 'We believe in God and the Last Day'; but they are not believers. 8 They think to beguile Allah and those who believe, and they beguile none save themselves; but they perceive not. 9 In their hearts is a disease which Allah has increased all the more and a painful doom is in store for them for the lie they utter. 10 When they are told not to commit corruption in the land, they reply, "We are only reformers". 11 But it is they who are the evildoers, though they do not sense it. 12 When it is said to them: 'Believe as (other) people believe,' they reply, 'Are we to believe as fools believe?' It is they who are the fools, if only they knew! 13 When they meet those who believe, they say, 'We believe'; but when they go privily to their Satans, they say, 'We are with you; we were only mocking.' 14 God mocks them and gives them time to continue blindly in their transgressions. 15 These are they who purchase error at the price of guidance, so their commerce doth not prosper, neither are they guided. 16 Their parable is that of people who kindle a fire: but as soon as it has illumined all around them, God takes away their light and leaves them in utter darkness, wherein they cannot see: 17 They are deaf; they are dumb; they are blind so they will not return (to the right way). 18 Or like abundant rain from the cloud in which is utter darkness and thunder and lightning; they put their fingers into their ears because of the thunder peal, for fear of death, and Allah encompasses the unbelievers. 19 Verily the lightning could snatch away their eyes. When it flashes forth they walk in its flare. When darkness returns they stand still. And if the Lord wills so He could take away their hearing and sight; surely God is all-powerful. 20