There are also those ˹hypocrites˺ who set up a mosque ˹only˺ to cause harm, promote disbelief, divide the believers, and as a base for those who had previously fought against Allah and His Messenger.1 They will definitely swear, “We intended nothing but good,” but Allah bears witness that they are surely liars.
Explanation
These readings amount to the same meaning, though the second (which accords with the Codices of Madinah and the Levant) is expressed as a new sentence, while the first is based on conjoining this discussion to the various groups mentioned in the preceding passage [Makki].