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Jeremiah 9:7–9

Therefore thus says the Lord of hosts:

“Behold, vI will refine them and wtest them,

for what else can I do, jbecause of my people?

xTheir tongue is a deadly arrow;

yit speaks deceitfully;

with his mouth zeach speaks peace to his neighbor,

but in his heart ahe plans an ambush for him.

bShall I not punish them for these things? declares the Lord,

and shall I not avenge myself

on a nation such as this?

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Jeremiah 9:7–9 — The New International Version (NIV)

Therefore this is what the Lord Almighty says:

“See, I will refine and test them,

for what else can I do

because of the sin of my people?

Their tongue is a deadly arrow;

it speaks deceitfully.

With their mouths they all speak cordially to their neighbors,

but in their hearts they set traps for them.

Should I not punish them for this?”

declares the Lord.

“Should I not avenge myself

on such a nation as this?”

Jeremiah 9:7–9 — King James Version (KJV 1900)

Therefore thus saith the Lord of hosts,

Behold, I will melt them, and try them;

For how shall I do for the daughter of my people?

Their tongue is as an arrow shot out; it speaketh deceit:

One speaketh peaceably to his neighbour with his mouth,

But in heart he layeth his wait.

Shall I not visit them for these things? saith the Lord:

Shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this?

Jeremiah 9:7–9 — New Living Translation (NLT)

Therefore, this is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says:

“See, I will melt them down in a crucible

and test them like metal.

What else can I do with my people?

For their tongues shoot lies like poisoned arrows.

They speak friendly words to their neighbors

while scheming in their heart to kill them.

Should I not punish them for this?” says the Lord.

“Should I not avenge myself against such a nation?”

Jeremiah 9:7–9 — The New King James Version (NKJV)

Therefore thus says the Lord of hosts:

“Behold, I will refine them and try them;

For how shall I deal with the daughter of My people?

Their tongue is an arrow shot out;

It speaks deceit;

One speaks peaceably to his neighbor with his mouth,

But in his heart he lies in wait.

Shall I not punish them for these things?” says the Lord.

“Shall I not avenge Myself on such a nation as this?”

Jeremiah 9:7–9 — New Century Version (NCV)

So this is what the Lord All-Powerful says:

“I will test the people of Judah as a person tests metal in a fire.

I have no other choice,

because my people have sinned.

Their tongues are like sharp arrows.

Their mouths speak lies.

Everyone speaks nicely to his neighbor,

but he is secretly planning to attack him.

Shouldn’t I punish the people for doing this?” says the Lord.

“Shouldn’t I give a nation like this the punishment it deserves?”

Jeremiah 9:7–9 — American Standard Version (ASV)

Therefore thus saith Jehovah of hosts, Behold, I will melt them, and try them; for how else should I do, because of the daughter of my people? Their tongue is a deadly arrow; it speaketh deceit: one speaketh peaceably to his neighbor with his mouth, but in his heart he layeth wait for him. Shall I not visit them for these things? saith Jehovah; shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this?

Jeremiah 9:7–9 — 1890 Darby Bible (DARBY)

Therefore thus saith Jehovah of hosts: Behold, I will melt them, and try them; for how else could I do for the daughter of my people? Their tongue is a murderous arrow; it speaketh deceit. A man speaketh peaceably to his neighbour with his mouth, but in his heart he layeth his ambush. Shall I not visit them for these things? saith Jehovah; shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this?

Jeremiah 9:7–9 — GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)

This is what the Lord of Armies says: 

I will now refine them with fire and test them. 

What else can I do for my dear people? 

Their tongues are like deadly arrows. 

They speak deceitfully. 

People speak politely to their neighbors, 

but they think of ways to set traps for them. 

I will punish them for these things, declares the Lord

I will punish this nation. 

I still won’t be satisfied. 

Jeremiah 9:7–9 — The Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

Therefore, this is what the Lord of Hosts says:

I am about to refine them and test them,

for what else can I do

because of My dear people?

Their tongues are deadly arrows—

they speak deception.

With his mouth

a man speaks peaceably with his friend,

but inwardly he sets up an ambush.

Should I not punish them for these things?

This is the Lord’s declaration.

Should I not avenge Myself

on such a nation as this?

Jeremiah 9:7–9 — The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

Therefore thus says the Lord of hosts:

I will now refine and test them,

for what else can I do with my sinful people?

Their tongue is a deadly arrow;

it speaks deceit through the mouth.

They all speak friendly words to their neighbors,

but inwardly are planning to lay an ambush.

Shall I not punish them for these things? says the Lord;

and shall I not bring retribution

on a nation such as this?

Jeremiah 9:7–9 — The Lexham English Bible (LEB)

Therefore, thus says Yahweh of hosts:

“Look, I am about to refine them,

and I will test them,

for what else can I do,

because of the presence of the daughter of my people?

Their tongue is a murderous arrow,

it speaks deceit.

With his mouth he speaks peace with his neighbor,

but in his inner parts he sets up his ambush.

Because of these things shall I not punish them?” declares Yahweh,

“On a nation that is like this shall I not take revenge?

Jeremiah 9:7–9 — New International Reader’s Version (1998) (NIrV)

So the Lord who rules over all says,

“I will put them through the fire to test them.

What else can I do?

My people are so sinful!

Their tongues are like deadly arrows.

They tell lies.

With their mouths all of them speak kindly to their neighbors.

But in their hearts they set traps for them.

Shouldn’t I punish them for that?”

announces the Lord.

“Shouldn’t I pay back the nation

that does those things?”

Jeremiah 9:7–9 — New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (NASB95)

Therefore thus says the Lord of hosts,

Behold, I will refine them and assay them;

For what else can I do, because of the daughter of My people?

“Their tongue is a deadly arrow;

It speaks deceit;

With his mouth one speaks peace to his neighbor,

But inwardly he sets an ambush for him.

“Shall I not punish them for these things?” declares the Lord.

“On a nation such as this

Shall I not avenge Myself?


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