Of the people there are some who say: "We believe in Allah and the Last Day;" but they do not (really) believe. 8 Fain would they deceive Allah and those who believe, but they only deceive themselves, and realise (it) not! 9 In their hearts is disease, so Allah has increased their disease; and for them is a painful punishment because they [habitually] used to lie. 10 When they are told not to commit corruption in the land, they reply, "We are only reformers". 11 Unquestionably, it is they who are the corrupters, but they perceive [it] not. 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 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 the people who have bartered away Guidance for error, but this is a profitless bargain that they have made, and they are not at all on the right way. 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 It seems the lightning may snatch away their sight from them; whenever it flashes they walk in it, and when it darkens they stand still; if Allah willed, He could take away their hearing and their sight; indeed Allah is Able to do all things. 20