Some people say, "We believe in God and the Day of Judgment," but they are not true believers. 8 They [think to] deceive Allah and those who believe, but they deceive not except themselves and perceive [it] 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, 'Do not corrupt in the land,' they reply, 'We are only reformers.' 11 They, certainly, are corrupt but do not realize it. 12 And when they are told, "Believe as other people believe," they answer, "Shall we believe as the weak-minded believe?" Oh, verily, it is they, they who are weak-minded - but they know it not! 13 To the believers they declare belief and, in secret to their own devils, they say, "We were only mocking". 14 Allah mocks at them and gives them increase in their wrong-doings to wander blindly. 15 Such are those who barter away guidance for error, their trade did not profit (them), nor are they guided. 16 Their parable is that of people who kindle a fire: but as soon as it has illumined all around them, God takes away their light and leaves them in utter darkness, wherein they cannot see: 17 deaf, dumb, blind -- so they shall not return; 18 or as a cloudburst out of heaven in which is darkness, and thunder, and lightning -- they put their fingers in their ears against the thunderclaps, fearful of death; and God encompasses the unbelievers; 19 The lightning well-nigh snatcheth away their sight; whensoever it flasheth on them, they walk therein, and when it becometh dark unto them, they stand still. And had Allah willed He would of a surety have taken away their hearing and their sights; verily Allah is over everything potent. 20