Of the people there are some who say: "We believe in Allah and the Last Day;" but they do not (really) believe. 8 They would trick God and the believers, and only themselves they deceive, and they are not aware. 9 There is a sickness in their hearts which Allah has increased. For them there is a painful punishment because they lie. 10 And when it is said to them, "Do not cause corruption on the earth," they say, "We are but reformers." 11 Yet they are surely mischief-mongers, even though they do not know. 12 And when it is said unto them: believe as the people believe, they say: shall we believe as the foolish believe? are not they indeed the foolish? But they know not. 13 And when they meet those who have believed, they say: We believe. And when they are alone with their satans, they say: verily we are with you, we were but mocking. 14 God shall mock them, and shall lead them on blindly wandering in their insolence. 15 Those are they that have bought error at the price of guidance, and their commerce has not profited them, and they are not right-guided. 16 Their example is like that of one who kindled a fire; and when it lit up all that was around it, Allah took away their light and left them in darkness, unable to see anything. 17 They are deaf, dumb and blind, and shall never return; 18 Or like a rainstorm from the sky, in which are darkness, thunder and lightning; they thrust their fingers in their ears due to the thunderclaps, fearing death; and Allah has the disbelievers encompassed. 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