Jeremiah 9:2–9

²If only I had a traveler’s lodging place

in the wilderness,ⁿ

I would abandon my people

and depart from them,

for they are all adulterers,^o

a solemn assembly of treacherous people.^p

³They bent their tongues like their bows;

lies and not faithfulness prevail in the land,

for they proceed from one evil to another,

and they do not take me into account.^q

This is the Lord’s declaration.

IMMINENT RUIN AND EXILE

⁴Everyone has to be on guard against his friend.

Don’t trust any brother,

for every brother will certainly deceive,^r

and every friend spread slander.^s

⁵Each one betrays his friend;^t

no one tells the truth.

They have taught their tongues to speak lies;

they wear themselves out doing wrong.

⁶You live in a world of deception.^Bu

In their deception they refuse to know me.^v

This is the Lord’s declaration.

⁷Therefore, this is what the Lord of Armies says:

I am about to refine them and test them,^w

for what else can I do

because of my dear^C people?^D

⁸Their tongues are deadly arrows—

they speak deception.^a

With his mouth

one speaks peaceably with his friend,

but inwardly he sets up an ambush.

⁹Should I not punish them for these things?

This is the Lord’s declaration.

Should I not avenge myself^b

on such a nation as this?