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Muhammad Asad   
and mark out those who were tainted with hypocrisy and, when they were told, "Come, fight in God's cause" - or, "Defend yourselves" - answered, "If we but knew [that it would come to a] fight, we would indeed follow you." Unto apostasy were they nearer on that day than unto faith, uttering with their mouths something which was not in their hearts, the while God knew fully well what they were trying to conceal
The Clear Quran, Dr. Mustafa Khattab   
and expose the hypocrites. When it was said to them, “Come fight in the cause of Allah or ˹at least˺ defend yourselves,” they replied, “If we had known there was fighting, we would have definitely gone with you.” They were closer to disbelief than to belief on that day—for saying with their mouths what was not in their hearts. Allah is All-Knowing of what they hide.
Safi Kaskas   
and to let the hypocrites be known. When they were told "Come fight in God's path or at least defend yourselves." They said, "If we had known how to fight, we would have followed you." They were closer on that day to unbelief than they were to faith. They say with their mouths what is not in their hearts. God knows what they hide.

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Source Arabic and Literal tools
Arabic   
وَلِیَعۡلَمَ ٱلَّذِینَ نَافَقُوا۟ۚ وَقِیلَ لَهُمۡ تَعَالَوۡا۟ قَـٰتِلُوا۟ فِی سَبِیلِ ٱللَّهِ أَوِ ٱدۡفَعُوا۟ۖ قَالُوا۟ لَوۡ نَعۡلَمُ قِتَالࣰا لَّٱتَّبَعۡنَـٰكُمۡۗ هُمۡ لِلۡكُفۡرِ یَوۡمَىِٕذٍ أَقۡرَبُ مِنۡهُمۡ لِلۡإِیمَـٰنِۚ یَقُولُونَ بِأَفۡوَ ٰهِهِم مَّا لَیۡسَ فِی قُلُوبِهِمۡۚ وَٱللَّهُ أَعۡلَمُ بِمَا یَكۡتُمُونَ ۝١٦٧
Transliteration (2021)   
waliyaʿlama alladhīna nāfaqū waqīla lahum taʿālaw qātilū fī sabīli l-lahi awi id'faʿū qālū law naʿlamu qitālan la-ittabaʿnākum hum lil'kuf'ri yawma-idhin aqrabu min'hum lil'īmāni yaqūlūna bi-afwāhihim mā laysa fī qulūbihim wal-lahu aʿlamu bimā yaktumūn
Word for Word
Dr. Shehnaz Shaikh, Ms. Kauser Katri, and more
  
And that He (might) make evident those who (are) hypocrites. And it was said to them, "Come, fight in (the) way (of) Allah or defend." They said, "If we knew fighting certainly we (would have) followed you." They - to disbelief that day (were) nearer than [them] to the faith, saying with their mouths what was not in their hearts. And Allah (is) Most Knowing of what they conceal.

Generally Accepted Translations of the Meaning
Muhammad Asad   
and mark out those who were tainted with hypocrisy and, when they were told, "Come, fight in God's cause" - or, "Defend yourselves" - answered, "If we but knew [that it would come to a] fight, we would indeed follow you." Unto apostasy were they nearer on that day than unto faith, uttering with their mouths something which was not in their hearts, the while God knew fully well what they were trying to conceal
M. M. Pickthall   
And that He might know the hypocrites, unto whom it was said: Come, fight in the way of Allah, or defend yourselves. They answered: If we knew aught of fighting we would follow you. On that day they were nearer disbelief than faith. They utter with their mouths a thing which is not in their hearts. Allah is Best Aware of what they hide
Yusuf Ali (Saudi Rev. 1985)   
And the Hypocrites also. These were told: "Come, fight in the way of Allah, or (at least) drive (The foe from your city)." They said: "Had we known how to fight, we should certainly have followed you." They were that day nearer to Unbelief than to Faith, saying with their lips what was not in their hearts but Allah hath full knowledge of all they conceal
The Clear Quran, Dr. Mustafa Khattab   
and expose the hypocrites. When it was said to them, “Come fight in the cause of Allah or ˹at least˺ defend yourselves,” they replied, “If we had known there was fighting, we would have definitely gone with you.” They were closer to disbelief than to belief on that day—for saying with their mouths what was not in their hearts. Allah is All-Knowing of what they hide.
Safi Kaskas   
and to let the hypocrites be known. When they were told "Come fight in God's path or at least defend yourselves." They said, "If we had known how to fight, we would have followed you." They were closer on that day to unbelief than they were to faith. They say with their mouths what is not in their hearts. God knows what they hide.
Wahiduddin Khan   
and know those who acted hypocritically.When they were told, Come, fight in God's cause and defend yourselves, they replied, If we knew that fighting would take place, we would surely follow you. They were that day nearer to unbelief than to belief. The words they utter bear no relation to what is in their hearts. God knows well what they conceal
Shakir   
And that He might know the hypocrites; and it was said to them: Come, fight in Allah's way, or defend yourselves. They said: If we knew fighting, we would certainly have followed you. They were on that day much nearer to unbelief than to belief. They say with their mouths what is not in their hearts, and Allah best knows what they conceal
Dr. Laleh Bakhtiar   
and He would know those who were hypocrites. It was said to them: Approach now! Fight in the way of God or drive back. They said: If we would have known there would be fighting, we would, certainly, have followed you. They were nearer to disbelief on that day than to belief. They say with their mouths what is not in their hearts. And God is greater in knowledge of what they keep back.
T.B.Irving   
and recognize those who act hypocritically. They were told: "Come fight in God´s way or [at least] defend yourselves." They said: "If we knew how to fight, we would follow you." They were nearer disbelief than faith that day. They say with their mouths what is not in their hearts; although God is quite Aware of what they are concealing.
Abdul Hye   
and that He might know those who were tainted with hypocrisy. It was said to them: “Come, fight in the way of Allah or at least defend (yourselves).” They said: “Had we known that fighting will take place, we would have certainly followed you.” On that day, they were nearer to disbelief than to faith. They said with their mouths what was not in their hearts. Allah has full knowledge of what they conceal.
The Study Quran   
and that He may know the hypocrites. And it was said unto them, “Come, fight in the way of God or defend [yourselves].” They said, “Had we known there would be fighting, we would have followed you.” That day they were closer to disbelief than to belief, saying with their mouths what was not in their hearts. And God knows best what they conceal
Talal Itani & AI (2024)   
And to expose the hypocrites. They were told, “Come, fight in the path of God, or at least defend.” They responded, “If we knew how to fight, we would follow you.” On that day, they were nearer to disbelief than to belief. They say with their mouths what’s not in their hearts. God is fully aware of what they conceal.
Talal Itani (2012)   
And that He may know the hypocrites. And it was said to them, 'Come, fight in the cause of God, or contribute.' They said, 'If we knew how to fight, we would have followed you.' On that day they were closer to infidelity than they were to faith. They say with their mouths what is not in their hearts; but God knows what they hide
Dr. Kamal Omar   
And so that He may know those who have committed hypocrisy. And it was said to them: “Come, fight (in war) in the Way of Allah or defend (the state and its people).” They said: “Had we been conversant with fighting, we would certainly have followed you,” They, some of them (were) nearer to disbelief that day than to Faith. They utter from their mouths what (is) not in their hearts. And Allah knows more of what they conceal
M. Farook Malik   
And the Hypocrites also. These were told: "Come, fight in the way of Allah, or (at least) drive (the foe from your city)." They said: "Had we known there would be a fight, we should certainly have followed you." They were that day nearer to Unbelief than to Faith, saying with their lips what was not in their hearts. But Allah hath full knowledge of all they conceal.
Muhammad Mahmoud Ghali   
And that He might know the ones who acted the hypocrite (Literally: hypocrised) and to whom it was said, "Come, fight in the way of Allah or repel (the enemy)." They said, "If we knew (about) fighting, we would indeed closely follow you." They, upon that day were nearer to disbelief than to belief; they say with their mouths that which is not in their hearts; and Allah best knows whatever (secrets) they keep back
Muhammad Sarwar   
and who were the hypocrites. When the hypocrites were asked to fight for the cause of God or to defend the city, they replied, "Had we known before that you would fight, we would certainly not have followed you." At that time they were closer to disbelief than to faith. They speak words that do not come from their hearts. God knows well whatever they try to hide
Muhammad Taqi Usmani   
and in order to know those who are hypocrites. It was said to them, .Come on, fight in the way of Allah, or defend. They said, .Had we known it to be a fight we would have certainly followed you. That day, they were nearer to disbelief than they were to Belief. They utter from their mouths what is not in their hearts. Allah knows well what they conceal
Shabbir Ahmed   
And that He might distinguish the hypocrites from the believers. They were told, "Come fight in the Cause of Allah, or at least defend the city." They said, "If we knew that confrontation were forthcoming, we would have joined you." On that day they were closer to disbelief than belief. They say with their mouths what is not in their hearts. Allah is best Aware of what they conceal
Dr. Munir Munshey   
And so He may test the hypocrites! They were told, "Come, fight in the path of Allah, or (at least) defend (yourself against the enemy)." But they responded, "We would have followed you, if we had known (for sure) that there would be a battle." That day, they were nearer apostasy than belief. By their lips, they were declaring that which (just) wasn´t there in their hearts. Allah is well Aware of what they conceal
Syed Vickar Ahamed   
And that He may test the hypocrites also, they were told: "Come, fight in the cause of Allah, or (at least) drive (the enemy from the city) and defend yourselves." They said: "If we had known how to fight, we should certainly have followed you." On that day they were nearer to disbelief than to Faith, saying with their lips what was not in their hearts. And Allah has full knowledge of all they hide (in their hearts)
Umm Muhammad (Sahih International)   
And that He might make evident those who are hypocrites. For it was said to them, "Come, fight in the way of Allah or [at least] defend." They said, "If we had known [there would be] fighting, we would have followed you." They were nearer to disbelief that day than to faith, saying with their mouths what was not in their hearts. And Allah is most Knowing of what they conceal
[The Monotheist Group] (2011 Edition)   
And to let those who are hypocrites know, that they were told: "Come fight in the cause of God or defend," they said: "If we knew how to fight we would have followed you." They are closer to disbelief then they are to belief. They say with their mouths what is not in their hearts, and God is aware of what they conceal
Abdel Haleem   
when it was said to them, ‘Come, fight for God’s cause, or at least defend yourselves,’ answered, ‘We would follow you if we knew there was going to be fighting.’ On that day they were closer to disbelief than belief. They say with their tongues what is not in their hearts: God knows exactly what they conceal
Abdul Majid Daryabadi   
And that he might know those who played the hypocrite. And it was said unto them: come ye, fight in the way of Allah or defend. They said: if we knew it was to be a fair fight We would surely have followed you. Nearer were they on that day to infidelity than to belief. They say with their mouths that which is not in their hearts and Allah knoweth best that which they conceal
Ahmed Ali   
And may distinguish the hypocrites who were told: "Fight in the way of God, or defend yourselves," and who had replied: "If we knew of the fight we would have followed you." They were nearer unbelief than faith on that day, and they said with their tongues what was not in their hearts; but God is aware of what they hide
Aisha Bewley   
and so that He would know the hypocrites. They were told, ´Come and fight in the Way of Allah or at least help defend us.´ They said, ´If we knew there would be a fight, we would certainly follow you.´ They were closer to kufr that day than to iman, saying with their mouths what was not in their hearts. And Allah knows best what they are hiding.
Ali Ünal   
And that He might mark out those who acted in hypocrisy: when they were told, "Come and fight in God’s cause, or defend yourselves (actively, in order to keep the enemy outside the city)," they said: "If we but knew there would be fighting, we would indeed follow you." They that day were nearer to unbelief than to faith, uttering with their mouths what was not in their hearts. God knows very well what they were concealing
Ali Quli Qara'i   
and ascertain the hypocrites. [When] they were told: ‘Come, fight in the way of Allah, or defend [yourselves], they said, ‘If we knew any fighting, surely we would have followed you.’ That day they were nearer to unfaith than to faith. They say with their mouths what is not in their hearts, and Allah knows best whatever they conceal
Hamid S. Aziz   
And He might know those who are hypocrites; for it was said to them, "Come, fight in Allah´s way," or "Repel (the foe)" But they said, "If we knew how to fight we would surely follow you." They were that day far nearer
Ali Bakhtiari Nejad   
and in order to know the hypocrites. And they were told: “Come, fight in God's way or defend (yourselves).” They said: “If we knew how to fight, we would certainly follow you.” On that day they were closer to disbelief than to belief. They say with their mouths what is not in their hearts. And God knows better what they hide.
A.L. Bilal Muhammad et al (2018)   
And those whose integrity had been compromised were told, “Come, fight in the way of God, or drive them from your city.” They said, “Had we known how to fight, we would certainly have followed you.” They were that day nearer to unbelief than to belief, saying with their mouths what was not in their hearts, but God has full knowledge of all they conceal
Musharraf Hussain   
and to mark out the hypocrites; when they were told: “Come and fight in Allah’s way, or at least defend yourselves,” they answered, “If only we knew how to fight we would have followed you.” That day, they were far nearer to disbelief than ever they were to faith, saying with their mouths what wasn’t in their hearts. Allah knows well what they hide.
Maududi   
and those who are hypocrites. And when these hypocrites were asked: ´Come and fight in the wayof Allah´, or (at least) ´defend yourselves´, they answered: ´If we but knew that there would be fighting, we would certainly have followed. They were nearer then to infidelity than to faith. They utter from their mouths what is not in their hearts. Allah knows well what they conceal
[The Monotheist Group] (2013 Edition)   
And to let those who are hypocrites know, that they were told: "Come fight in the cause of God or defend," they said: "If we knew how to fight we would have followed you." They are closer to rejection than they are to belief. They say with their mouths what is not in their hearts, and God is aware of what they conceal.
Mohammad Shafi   
And in order that He did distinguish the hypocrites. And they had been told, "Come, fight in Allah's Path, or defend." They said, "Had we been trained in fighting, we would certainly have followed you." Suppression of the Truth was nearer to them, that day, than belief. They spoke with their mouths what was not in their inner minds. And Allah knows what they conceal

Controversial or status undetermined works
Ahmed Raza Khan (Barelvi)   
And that He might make one to distinguish the hypocrites and it was said to them, "come, fight in the way of Allah or drive out the enemy". They said, "If we knew fighting, then certainly we would have sided you." And they on that day were nearer to apparent infidelity than to expressed faith. They say with their mouths, what is not in their hearts. And Allah knows what they are concealing.
Rashad Khalifa   
And to expose the hypocrites who were told, "Come fight in the cause of GOD, or contribute." They said, "If we knew how to fight, we would have joined you." They were closer to disbelief then than they were to belief. They uttered with their mouths what was not in their hearts. GOD knows what they conceal.
Hasan Al-Fatih Qaribullah   
and that He might know the hypocrites. ' When it was said to them: 'Come, fight or repel in the way of Allah. ' They replied: 'If only we knew how to fight, we would follow you. ' On that day, they were nearer to disbelief than belief. They said with their mouths what was not in their hearts. And Allah knows what they hide
Maulana Muhammad Ali   
And that He might know the hypocrites. And it was said to them: Come, fight in Allah’s way, or defend yourselves. They said: If we knew fighting, we would have followed you. They were on that day nearer to disbelief than to belief; they say with their mouths what is not in their hearts. And Allah best knows what they conceal
Muhammad Ahmed & Samira   
And to know those who exercised hypocrisy, and was said to them: "Come, fight in God's sake or pay/push/repel." They said: "If we know a fight we would have followed you." They are to the disbelief that day nearer/closer, from them to the belief. They say with their mouths what is not in their hearts/minds ,and God (is) more knowing with what they hide/conceal
Bijan Moeinian   
When the hypocrites were told: “Come fight in the way of God or [at least] for your defense,” they replied: “We would have joined you, if we knew how to fight!” They were much closer to disbelief than belief on that day. Their lip service does not reveal their belief; indeed God knows what they hide inside
Faridul Haque   
And in order to expose them who turned hypocrites; and it was said to them, “Come, fight in Allah's cause, or repel the enemy”; they answered, “If we knew how to fight, we would certainly have been with you”; and on that day they were nearer to open disbelief than to professed faith; they utter with their mouths what is not in their hearts; and Allah knows well what they hide.
Sher Ali   
And that HE might cause the hypocrites to be distinguished. And it was said to them, `Come ye, fight in the cause of ALLAH and repel the attack of the enemy;' they said, `If we knew how to fight we would surely follow you.' They were that day, nearer to disbelief than belief. They say with their mouths what is not in their hearts. And ALLAH knows quite well what they hide
Dr. Mohammad Tahir-ul-Qadri   
And (He) also distinguishes the identity of those who are hypocrites. And when it was said to them: ‘Come and fight in the cause of Allah or defend (against the enemy invasion),’ they said: ‘If we knew that there would be (virtually) a war, (or if we considered it a war in the cause of Allah,) we would certainly follow you.’ That day they were closer to an evident disbelief than (the pretended) belief. They utter from their mouths that which is not in their hearts. And Allah knows well (the matters) they hide
Amatul Rahman Omar   
And that He might distinguish those who practise hypocrisy. Indeed, it was said to them (- the hypocrites), `Come forward, fight in the cause of Allah, or at least help the defences.' They said, `If we but knew that it would be a fight we would surely follow you, (but the Muslims were going to a sure destruction).' On that day, they were nearer to disbelief than to belief. They say with their mouths that which is not in their minds. And Allah knows best all that they conceal
Muhsin Khan & Muhammad al-Hilali   
And that He might test the hypocrites, it was said to them: "Come, fight in the Way of Allah or (at least) defend yourselves." They said: "Had we known that fighting will take place, we would certainly have followed you." They were that day, nearer to disbelief than to Faith, saying with their mouths what was not in their hearts. And Allah has full knowledge of what they conceal

Non-Muslim and/or Orientalist works
Arthur John Arberry   
and that He might also know the hypocrites when it was said of them, 'Come now, fight in the way of God, or repel!' They said, 'If only we knew how to fight, we would follow you.' They that day were nearer to unbelief than to belief, saying with their mouths that which never was in their hearts; and God knows very well the things they hide
George Sale   
and that he might know the ungodly. It was said unto them, come, fight for the religion of God, or drive back the enemy: They answered, if we had known ye went out to fight, we had certainly followed you. They were on that day nearer unto unbelief, than they were to faith; they spake with their mouths, what was not in their hearts: But God perfectly knew what they concealed
Edward Henry Palmer   
and might know those who behaved hypocritically; for it was said to them, 'Come, fight in God's way,' or 'repel (the foe);' they said, 'If we knew how to fight we would surely follow you.' They were that day far nigher unto misbelief than they were to faith. They say with their mouths what is not in their hearts, but God doth know best what they hid
John Medows Rodwell   
They said with their lips what was not in their hearts! But God knew what they concealed
N J Dawood (2014)   
and know the hypocrites.‘ And when they were told: ‘Come, fight for the cause of God and defend yourselves,‘ they said: ‘If we only knew how to fight, we would surely follow you. On that day they were nearer unbelief than faith. Their words belied their intentions: but God knew their secret thoughts

New, Partial, or In Progress Translations
Fode Drame   
and so that also He may mark out those who had taken to hypocrisy. And when they were told to come and fight in the way of Allah or for self-defence, they said, “If we knew how to fight, we would surely follow you.” On that day they were closer to the disbelief than they were to the belief. They say with their mouths what was not in their hearts and Allah is All-knowing about all that they conceal.
Munir Mezyed   
And expose the ones who excessively indulge in hypocrisy. When it was said unto them: “Come and fight in the cause of Allâh, or at least defend yourselves”, they said: “If we had known that there would be fighting, we would have surely gone with you". On that day, they were closer to renounce their Faith, uttering with their mouths what was not in their hearts. And Allâh has full knowledge of what they conceal (in their hearts).
Sahib Mustaqim Bleher   
And to know those who pretend, and they were told: Come and fight in the way of Allah or defend yourselves, and they said: Had we known about a fight we would have followed you. They were closer to rejecting belief that day than to believing. They say with their mouths what is not in their hearts, and Allah knows what they hide.
Linda “iLHam” Barto   
…[So He could separate the believers] from the hypocrites.” They were told, “Come fight in Allah’s cause,” or, “Defend yourselves.” They answered, “If we only knew battle skills, we would have followed you.” On that day, they were closer to unbelief than to faith. They say with their mouths something that is not in their hearts. Allah is well aware of what they hide.
Fadel Soliman, Bridges‘ Translation   
and that He may know those who acted hypocritically when it was said to them, “Come, combat in the way of Allah, or at least defend (the community).” They said, “If we knew there was going to be combat, we would follow youpl.” On that day they were closer to denial than they were to faith. They say with their mouths what is not in their hearts. But Allah knows better what they conceal.
Irving & Mohamed Hegab   
and recognize those who act hypocritically. They were told: "Come fight in Allah (God)'s way or [at least] defend yourselves." They said: "If we knew that it is a fight [, but it will suicide], we would follow you." They were nearer disbelief than faith that day. They say with their mouths what is not in their hearts; although Allah (God) is quite Aware of what they are concealing.
Samy Mahdy   
And to know those who are hypocrites. And it was said to them, “Come, fight in Allah’s pathway, or defend.” They said, “If we knew fighting, we would have followed you.” On that day they were closer to infidelity than they were to the faith. They say with their mouths what is not in their cores; and Allah is knower with what they are muting.
Sayyid Qutb   
And [He might] mark out the hypocrites. When these were told, “Come, fight in God's cause”, or “Defend yourselves”, they answered, “Had we known there would be a fight, we would certainly have followed you.” On that day they were nearer unbelief than faith, uttering with their mouths something different to what was in their hearts, but God knew full well all that they tried to conceal.
Ahmed Hulusi   
(It was also so) that the hypocrites (two-faced) may be known. When they were told, “Come and fight or defend in the way of Allah,” they said, “If we had known you were going to battle we would have come after you.” That day, they were closer to the state of denial than the state of faith. They were not expressing their true thoughts! What were they trying to hide within when Allah knows the truth!
Sayyed Abbas Sadr-Ameli   
And that He might distinguish those who treated hypocritically; and it was said to them; ' Come! Fight in the way of Allah, or (at least) defend yourselves '. They said: ' If we knew fighting, we would certainly have followed you '. That time they were much nearer to the infidelity than to Faith. They utter with their mouths what is not in their hearts, and Allah knows best what they conceal.
Al-muntakhab fi tafsir al-Qur‘an al-Karim   
He exposes the hypocrites who pretended to be other then they are. When they were asked to join the Muslim forces to fight in the cause of Allah or at least to defend their own interests; they made excuses. They said, "We would gladly follow you if we knew how to fight." They were then furthermost from Allah and their words did not accord to their inmost thoughts. Allah knows best their secret feelings
Mir Aneesuddin   
and that He might know (mark out) the hypocrites. And (when) it was said to them, "Come fight in the way of Allah or drive out (the enemy)." They said, "Had we known fighting we would have followed you." On that day they were nearer to infidelity than to belief, saying with their mouths that which was not in their hearts, and Allah knows best that which they hide. mouths that which was not in their hearts, and Allah knows best that which they hide.

Obsolete and/or older editions
Yusuf Ali (Orig. 1938)   
And the Hypocrites also. These were told: "Come, fight in the way of God, or (at least) drive (The foe from your city)." They said: "Had we known how to fight, we should certainly have followed you." They were that day nearer to Unbelief than to Faith, saying with their lips what was not in their hearts but God hath full knowledge of all they conceal
OLD Literal Word for Word   
And that He (might) make evide those who (are) hypocrites. And it was said to them, "Come, fight in (the) way (of) Allah or defend." They said, "If we knew fighting certainly we (would have) foll They - to disbelief that day (were) nearer than [them] to the faith, saying with their mouths what was not in their hearts. And Allah (is) Most Knowing of what they conceal
OLD Transliteration   
WaliyaAAlama allatheena nafaqoo waqeela lahum taAAalaw qatiloo fee sabeeli Allahi awi idfaAAoo qaloo law naAAlamu qitalan laittabaAAnakum hum lilkufri yawma-ithin aqrabu minhum lil-eemani yaqooloona bi-afwahihim ma laysa fee quloobihim waAllahu aAAlamu bima yaktumoona