Some people say, "We believe in God and the Day of Judgment," but they are not true believers. 8 They deceive God and the believers. However, they have deceived no one but themselves, a fact of which they are not aware. 9 In their hearts is disease, and so God lets their disease increase; and grievous suffering awaits them because of their persistent lying. 10 Whenever it is said to them, "Spread not disorder on the earth", their reply is, "We only seek to put things aright". 11 They, certainly, are corrupt but do not realize it. 12 And when it is said to them, "Believe sincerely as the other people have believed", they reply, "Should we believe as fools have believed?" Beware! they themselves are the fools, 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 will requite them for their mockery, and draw them on, for a while, to wander blindly in their insolence. 15 These are they who have bartered Guidance for error: But their traffic is profitless, and they have lost true direction, 16 Their parable is that of people who kindle a fire: but as soon as it has illumined all around them, God takes away their light and leaves them in utter darkness, wherein they cannot see: 17 They are deaf, dumb, and blind, so they return not (to the Right Path). 18 Or like a rainstorm from the sky, wherein is darkness, thunder and the flash of lightning. They thrust their fingers in their ears by reason of the thunder-claps, for fear of death, Allah encompasseth the disbelievers (in His guidance, His omniscience and His omnipotence). 19 The lightning almost snatches away their sight. Every time it lights [the way] for them, they walk therein; but when darkness comes over them, they stand [still]. And if Allah had willed, He could have taken away their hearing and their sight. Indeed, Allah is over all things competent. 20