And some men there are who say, 'We believe in God and the Last Day'; but they are not believers. 8 They desire to deceive Allah and those who believe, and they deceive only themselves and they do not perceive. 9 In their hearts is a disease, and Allah increaseth their disease. A painful doom is theirs because they lie. 10 And when it is said to them: "Make not mischief on the earth," they say: "We are only peacemakers." 11 Pay heed! It is they who are mischievous, but they do not have sense. 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 When they meet those who believe, they say, "We, too, are believers", but when they privily meet their evil geniuses, they say, "Indeed we are with you: we are only mocking at these people". 14 God mocks them and gives them time to continue blindly in their transgressions. 15 These are they who purchase error at the price of guidance, so their commerce doth not prosper, neither are they 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 not return (to the path). 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 almost snatches away their sight. Every time it lights [the way] for them, they walk therein; but when darkness comes over them, they stand [still]. And if Allah had willed, He could have taken away their hearing and their sight. Indeed, Allah is over all things competent. 20