There are some people who say: 'We believe in Allah and the Last Day, 'yet they are not believers. 8 They would trick God and the believers, and only themselves they deceive, and they are not aware. 9 In their hearts is a sickness, and God has increased their sickness, and there awaits them a painful chastisement for that they have cried lies. 10 And when they are told, "Do not spread corruption on earth," they answer, "We are but improving things!" 11 But it is they who are the evildoers, though they do not sense 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 believe;" but when they are alone with their evil ones, they say: "We are really with you: We (were) only jesting." 14 Allah (Himself) doth mock them, leaving them to wander blindly on in their contumacy. 15 These are they who have purchased error for guidance, so their commerce was profitless. And they were not guided. 16 Their likeness is as the likeness of one who kindleth fire, and when it sheddeth its light around him Allah taketh away their light and leaveth them in darkness, where they cannot see, 17 They are deaf, blind, and dumb and cannot regain their senses. 18 Or like a rainstorm from the sky, in which are darkness, thunder and lightning; they thrust their fingers in their ears due to the thunderclaps, fearing death; and Allah has the disbelievers encompassed. 19 Verily the lightning could snatch away their eyes. When it flashes forth they walk in its flare. When darkness returns they stand still. And if the Lord wills so He could take away their hearing and sight; surely God is all-powerful. 20