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 and modest speech (would have been more becoming). And when the matter has been determined it is best for them to be true to God. 21 If you turned away, would you then haply work corruption in the land, and break your bonds of kin? 22 Such are those whom God has rejected, making their ears deaf and their eyes blind. 23 So do they not ponder the Qur’an deeply, or are there locks on some of their hearts? 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 because they say to those who abhor what God has revealed, "We will obey you in some matters." God knows their secrets. 26 How shall it be, when the angels take them, beating their faces and their backs? 27 That is because they followed that which angered Allah and detested His good-will; so He made their works of non-effect. 28