Then there are some who say, "We believe in Allah and the Last Day", whereas they do not believe at all. 8 They (try to) deceive God and those who believe, yet deceive none but themselves although they do not know. 9 In their hearts is a disease, which God has increased. They will have a painful punishment, because they have been lying. 10 When they are told not to commit corruption in the land, they reply, "We are only reformers". 11 Of a surety, they are the ones who make mischief, but they realise (it) not. 12 And when it is said to them, "Believe sincerely as the other people have believed", they reply, "Should we believe as fools have believed?" Beware! they themselves are the fools, but they know it not. 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 Allah mocketh back at them, and letteth them in their exorbitance wander bewildered. 15 Those are they that have bought error at the price of guidance, and their commerce has not profited them, and they are not right-guided. 16 They are like those who kindled a fire, and when it lighted up all around them, God took away their sight and left them in utter darkness, unable to see -- 17 deaf, dumb, and blind: they will never return [to the right path]. 18 Or [the parable] of a violent cloudburst in the sky, with utter darkness, thunder and lightning: they put their fingers into their ears to keep out the peals of thunder, in terror of death; but God encompasses [with His might] all who deny the truth. 19 The lightning well-nigh snatcheth away their sight; whensoever it flasheth on them, they walk therein, and when it becometh dark unto them, they stand still. And had Allah willed He would of a surety have taken away their hearing and their sights; verily Allah is over everything potent. 20