And there are people who say: "We do believe in God and the Last Day," the while they do not [really] believe. 8 They think to beguile Allah and those who believe, and they beguile none save themselves; but they perceive not. 9 There is a sickness in their hearts which Allah has increased. For them there is a painful punishment because they lie. 10 When it is said to them: "Make not mischief on the earth," they say: "Why, we only Want to make peace!" 11 Yet they are surely mischief-mongers, even though they do not know. 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 are alone with their evil ones, they say: "We are really with you: We (were) only jesting." 14 God shall mock them, and shall lead them on blindly wandering in their insolence. 15 Those are the ones who have purchased error [in exchange] for guidance, so their transaction has brought no profit, nor were they guided. 16 Their condition may be described in a parable: a man kindled a fire and when it illuminated all around him, Allah took away the light from their eyes and left them in utter darkness, where they could not see anything. 17 Deaf, dumb and blind - so they will not return [to the right path]. 18 Or, like (those who, under) a cloudburst from the sky with darkness, thunder and lightning, they thrust their fingers in their ears at the sound of every thunderclap for fear of death, and Allah encompasses the unbelievers. 19 The lightning all but snatches away their sight; every time the light (Helps) them, they walk therein, and when the darkness grows on them, they stand still. And if Allah willed, He could take away their faculty of hearing and seeing; for Allah hath power over all things. 20