And of mankind, there are some (hypocrites) who say: "We believe in Allah and the Last Day" while in fact they believe not. 8 They would trick God and the believers, and only themselves they deceive, and they are not aware. 9 Sick are their hearts, and God adds to their malady. For them is suffering for they lie. 10 And when they are told, "Do not spread corruption on earth," they answer, "We are but improving things!" 11 but it is they who are really causing corruption, though they do not realize it. 12 And when they are told, "Believe as other people have believed," they say, "Are we to believe just as fools believe?" Surely they are the fools, even though they do not realize it. 13 To the believers they declare belief and, in secret to their own devils, they say, "We were only mocking". 14 (Little do they realize that) Allah is mocking at them. He gives them rope enough, and they wander on and on blindly in their mischief and rebellion. 15 These are the people who purchased error in exchange of guidance – so their bargain did not profit them, and they did not know how to trade. 16 The likeness of them is as the likeness of a man who kindled a fire, and when it lit all about him God took away their light, and left them in darkness unseeing 17 They are deaf; they are dumb; they are blind so they will not return (to the right way). 18 Or like a rainstorm from the sky, wherein is darkness, thunder, and lightning. They thrust their fingers in their ears to keep out the stunning thunderclap for fear of death. But Allah ever encompasses the disbelievers (i.e. Allah will gather them all together). 19 The lightning well-nigh takes away their sight; whenever it gives them light, they advance therein, and whenever darkness falls around them, they stand still. And if God so willed, He could indeed take away their hearing and their sight: for, verily, God has the power to will anything. 20