NOW THOSE who have attained to faith say: "Would that a revelation [allowing us to fight] was bestowed from on high!" But now that a revelation clear in and by itself, mentioning war, has been bestowed from on high, thou canst see those in whose hearts is disease looking at thee, [O Muhammad,] with the look of one who is about to faint for fear of death! And yet, far better for them would be 20 obedience [to God's call] and a word that could win [His] approval: for, since the matter has been resolved [by His revelation,] it would be but for their own good to remain true to God. 21 Now, if you were to turn away, what else can be expected but that you will work corruption in the land and fly at each other's throats? 22 It is such as these whom God rejects, and whom He makes deaf [to the voice of truth,] and whose eyes He blinds [to its sight]! 23 Do they not then think deeply in the Quran, or are their hearts locked up (from understanding it)? 24 As for those who turn back in their footsteps after the guidance of Allah has become clear to them, it was satan who tempted them, and Allah has respited them. 25 That is because they said unto those who detest that which Allah hath revealed: we shall obey you in part of the affair; and Allah knoweth their talking in secret. 26 Then how will it be when the angels take their souls, beating them on their faces and their backs, 27 because they followed the way that made God wrathful, and hated to adopt the way of His pleasure? So He made their actions come to nothing. 28