The hypocrites seek to outwit God -- but it is He who outwits them. And when they stand up for prayer, they do so reluctantly and to be seen by others, and they hardly remember God at all. 142 Wavering between them, [belonging] neither to the believers nor to the disbelievers. And whoever Allah leaves astray - never will you find for him a way. 143 O believers, take not the unbelievers as friends instead of the believers; or do you desire to give God over you a clear authority? 144 Surely the hypocrites will be in the lowest reach of the Fire; thou wilt not find for them any helper; 145 But those who repent and mend (their ways), who hold fast to Allah, and make their religion sincerely for Allah they are with the believers, and Allah will certainly give the believers a great wage. 146 Why should God punish you, if you render thanks to Him and believe in Him? God is appreciative and aware. 147 ۞ Allah does not love the shouting of evil words, except by he who has been wronged. He is the Hearer, the Knower. 148 If you do good openly or in secret or pardon an evil, surely God is All-pardoning, All-powerful. 149 There are those who disbelieve in Allah and His Messengers and seek to differentiate between Allah and His Messengers, and say: 'We believe in some and deny others, and seek to strike a way between the two.' 150 those in truth are the unbelievers; and We have prepared for the unbelievers a humbling chastisement. 151 As for those who believe in God and make no distinction between His Messengers, they will receive His reward. God is All-forgiving and All-merciful. 152