And of mankind are some who say: We believe in Allah and the Last Day, when they believe not. 8 They wish to deceive Allah and the believers; and in fact they deceive none except themselves and they do not have any understanding. 9 In their hearts is a disease, which God has increased. They will have a painful punishment, because they have been lying. 10 When asked to desist from spreading corruption in the land they say: "Why, we are reformers." 11 Now surely they themselves are the mischief makers, but they do not perceive. 12 And when they are told, "Believe as other people have believed," they say, "Are we to believe just as fools believe?" Surely they are the fools, even though they do not realize it. 13 And when they meet those who believe, they say, "We believe"; but when they are alone with their evil ones, they say, "Indeed, we are with you; we were only mockers." 14 Allah mocketh back at them, and letteth them in their exorbitance wander bewildered. 15 Such are those who have taken misguidance in exchange for guidance; but their bargain does not profit them, nor have they found true guidance. 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 abundant rain from the cloud in which is utter darkness and thunder and lightning; they put their fingers into their ears because of the thunder peal, for fear of death, and Allah encompasses the unbelievers. 19 The lightning almost takes away their vision. When the lightning brightens their surroundings, they walk and when it is dark, they stand still. Had God wanted, He could have taken away their hearing and their vision. God has power over all things. 20