And of mankind are some who say: we believe in Allah and in the Last Day: whereas they are not believers. 8 They (think to) deceive Allah and those who believe, while they only deceive themselves, and perceive (it) not! 9 In their hearts is disease, so Allah has increased their disease; and for them is a painful punishment because they [habitually] used to lie. 10 And when it is said unto them: Make not mischief in the earth, they say: We are peacemakers only. 11 Yet they are surely mischief-mongers, even though they do not know. 12 When they are told to believe as everyone else does, they say, "Should we believe as fools do?" In fact, they themselves are fools, but they do not know it. 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 God mocks them and gives them time to continue blindly in their transgressions. 15 These are they who have bartered Guidance for error: But their traffic is profitless, and they have lost true direction, 16 Their example is like one who kindled a fire, and when it lit all around him, Allah took away their light and left them in darkness. They could not see. 17 They are deaf; they are dumb; they are blind so they will not return (to the right way). 18 Or their case is like that of heavy rain pouring down from the clouds, accompanied by darkness, thunder and lightning; they thrust their fingers in their ears at the sound of thunderclaps for fear of death. God thus encompasses those who deny the truth. 19 The lightning almost takes away their sight: whenever it flashes upon them, they walk on, but as soon as darkness falls around them, they stand still. Indeed, if God pleased, He could take away their hearing and their sight: God has power over all things. 20