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 When you heard of it, why didn't the Believing men and the Believing women have a good opinion of themselves, and why did they not say, "This is a manifest slander?" 12 Why did they not bring four witnesses against it? But since they did not bring the witnesses, in God's sight they are the liars. 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 Your tongues moved and your mouths spoke of something of which you had no knowledge. You thought it to be a trivial matter, while in the eyes of God it is blasphemy. 15 And why did ye not, when ye heard it, say? - "It is not right of us to speak of this: Glory to Allah! this is a most serious slander!" 16 God advises you never to do such things again if you have any faith. 17 And Allah clearly explains the verses for you; and Allah is All Knowing, Wise. 18 As for those, who like that indecency should spread among the Believers, they deserve a painful punishment in this world and in the Hereafter, for Allah knows and you do not know (its consequences). 19 And had there not been Allah's grace upon you and His mercy, and that Allah was Tender and Merciful, ye had Perished. 20