Among the people are those who say, “We believe in God and in the Last Day,” but they are not believers.
They seek to deceive God and those who believe, but they deceive none but themselves, though they are not aware.
In their hearts is sickness, and God has increased their sickness. They will have a painful punishment because of their denial.
And when it is said to them, “Do not make trouble on earth,” they say, “We are only reformers.”
In fact, they are the troublemakers, but they are not aware.
And when it is said to them, “Believe as the people have believed,” they say, “Shall we believe as the fools have believed?” In fact, it is they who are the fools, but they do not know.
And when they come across those who believe, they say, “We believe”; but when they are alone with their devils, they say, “We are with you; we were only ridiculing.”
It is God who ridicules them, and leaves them bewildered in their transgression.
Those are they who have bartered error for guidance; but their trade does not profit them, and they are not guided.
Among the people is he whose speech about the worldly life impresses you, and he calls God to witness what is in his heart, while he is the most hostile of adversaries.
When he gains power, he strives to spread corruption on earth, destroying properties and lives. God does not like corruption.
And when he is told, “Beware of God,” his pride leads him to more sin. Hell is enough for him—a dreadful abode.
And among the people is he who sells himself seeking God’s approval. God is kind towards the servants.
You are the best community that ever emerged for humanity: you advocate what is moral, and forbid what is immoral, and believe in God. Had the People of the Scripture believed, it would have been better for them. Among them are the believers, but most of them are sinners.
And among the people is he who argues about God without knowledge, or guidance, or an enlightening scripture.
Turning aside in contempt, to lead away from the path of God. He will have humiliation in this world, and on the Day of Resurrection We will make him taste the agony of burning.
That is for what your hands have advanced, and because God is not unjust to the servants.
And among the people is he who worships God on edge. When something good comes his way, he is content with it. But when an ordeal strikes him, he makes a turnaround. He loses this world and the next. That is the obvious loss.
He invokes, instead of God, what can neither harm him nor benefit him. That is the far straying.
He invokes one whose harm is closer than his benefit. What a miserable master. What a miserable companion.
God will admit those who believe and do righteous deeds into Gardens beneath which rivers flow. God does whatever He wills.
Bad women are for bad men, and bad men are for bad women, and good women are for good men, and good men are for good women. Those are acquitted of what they say. There is forgiveness for them, and a generous provision.
Those who disbelieve among the People of the Scripture, and the Polytheists, will be in the Fire of Hell, where they will abide forever. These are the worst of creatures.
As for those who believe and lead a righteous life—these are the best of creatures.
Their reward is with their Lord: Gardens of Eternity beneath which rivers flow, where they will abide forever. God is pleased with them, and they are pleased with Him. That is for whoever fears His Lord.
