Jeremiah 9:4–8

Let everyone beware of his neighbor,

and put no trust in any brother,

for every brother is a deceiver,

and every neighbor goes about as a slanderer.

Everyone deceives his neighbor,

and no one speaks the truth;

they have taught their tongue to speak lies;

they weary themselves committing iniquity.

Heaping oppression upon oppression, and deceit upon deceit,

they refuse to know me, declares the Lord.

Therefore thus says the Lord of hosts:

“Behold, I will refine them and test them,

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

Their tongue is a deadly arrow;

it speaks deceitfully;

with his mouth each speaks peace to his neighbor,

but in his heart he plans an ambush for him.

“Beware of your friends;

do not trust anyone in your clan.

For every one of them is a deceiver,

and every friend a slanderer.

Friend deceives friend,

and no one speaks the truth.

They have taught their tongues to lie;

they weary themselves with sinning.

You live in the midst of deception;

in their deceit they refuse to acknowledge me,”

declares the Lord.

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.

Everyone has to be on guard against his friend.

Don’t trust any brother,

for every brother will certainly deceive,

and every friend spread slander.

Each one betrays his friend;

no one tells the truth.

They have taught their tongues to speak lies;

they wear themselves out doing wrong.

You live in a world of deception.

In their deception they refuse to know me.

This is the Lord’s declaration.

Therefore, this is what the Lord of Armies 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

one speaks peaceably with his friend,

but inwardly he sets up an ambush.

“Beware of your neighbor!

Don’t even trust your brother!

For brother takes advantage of brother,

and friend slanders friend.

They all fool and defraud each other;

no one tells the truth.

With practiced tongues they tell lies;

they wear themselves out with all their sinning.

They pile lie upon lie

and utterly refuse to acknowledge me,”

says the Lord.

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.

“Let everyone be on your guard against his neighbor,

and you must not trust in any brother,

for everyone surely betrays,

and every neighbor goes about with slander.

And everyone deceives his neighbor,

and they do not speak the truth,

they have taught their tongues to speak lies,

they are tired from going astray.

Your dwelling is in the midst of deceit,

upon deceit they refuse to know me,” declares Yahweh.

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.

Take ye heed every one of his neighbour,

And trust ye not in any brother:

For every brother will utterly supplant,

And every neighbour will walk with slanders.

And they will deceive every one his neighbour,

And will not speak the truth:

They have taught their tongue to speak lies,

And weary themselves to commit iniquity.

Thine habitation is in the midst of deceit;

Through deceit they refuse to know me, saith the Lord.

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.