Then there are some who say, "We believe in Allah and the Last Day", whereas they do not believe at all. 8 They [think to] deceive Allah and those who believe, but they deceive not except themselves and perceive [it] not. 9 A sickness exists in their hearts to which God adds more sickness. Besides this, they will suffer a painful punishment as a result of the lie which they speak. 10 When asked to desist from spreading corruption in the land they say: "Why, we are reformers." 11 Lo! verily it is they who are the corrupters, and yet they perceive 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 And when they meet with the believers, they say, “We believe”; and when they are alone with their devils, they say, “We are undoubtedly with you, we were just mocking!” 14 Allah (befitting His Majesty) mocks them, leaving them to wander blindly in their rebellion. 15 These are they who purchased error for guidance, but their traffic profited not, nor have they ever become guided. 16 Their parable is like the parable of one who kindled a fire, but when it had illumined all around him, Allah took away their light, and left them in utter darkness-- they do not see. 17 deaf, dumb, and blind: they will never return [to the right path]. 18 Or [it is] like a rainstorm from the sky within which is darkness, thunder and lightning. They put their fingers in their ears against the thunderclaps in dread of death. But Allah is encompassing of the disbelievers. 19 Verily the lightning could snatch away their eyes. When it flashes forth they walk in its flare. When darkness returns they stand still. And if the Lord wills so He could take away their hearing and sight; surely God is all-powerful. 20