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 the two, neither with these nor with those. For them who are not given the guidance by God, you will never find a way. 143 O ye who believe! Choose not disbelievers for (your) friends in place of believers. Would ye give Allah a clear warrant against you? 144 The hypocrites will be placed in the lowest bottom of the fire and none of you will ever find a helper for them, except 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 What can Allah gain by your punishment, if ye are grateful and ye believe? Nay, it is Allah that recogniseth (all good), and knoweth all things. 147 ۞ Allah loveth not the utterance of harsh speech save by one who hath been wronged. Allah is ever Hearer, Knower. 148 If ye do good openly or keep it secret, or forgive evil, lo! Allah is ever Forgiving, Powerful. 149 Lo! those who disbelieve in Allah and His messengers, and seek to make distinction between Allah and His messengers, and say: We believe in some and disbelieve in others, and seek to choose a way in between; 150 These it is that are truly unbelievers, and We have prepared for the unbelievers a disgraceful chastisement. 151 And those who believe in Allah and His apostles and do not make a distinction between any of them-- Allah will grant them their rewards; and Allah is Forgiving, Merciful. 152