Then there are some who say, "We believe in Allah and the Last Day", whereas they do not believe at all. 8 Fain would they deceive Allah and those who believe, but they only deceive themselves, and realise (it) not! 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 They, certainly, are corrupt but do not realize it. 12 And when it is said to them, "Believe as the people have believed," they say, "Should we believe as the foolish have believed?" Unquestionably, it is they who are the foolish, but they know [it] not. 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 mocks them and gives them time to continue blindly in their transgressions. 15 Such are those who barter away guidance for error, their trade did not profit (them), nor are they guided. 16 Their similitude is that of a man who kindled a fire; when it lighted all around him, Allah took away their light and left them in utter darkness. So they could not see. 17 Deaf, dumb, blind - and they cannot turn back. 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 almost takes away their vision. When the lightning brightens their surroundings, they walk and when it is dark, they stand still. Had God wanted, He could have taken away their hearing and their vision. God has power over all things. 20