Jeremiah 9:1–8

1  Oh that my head were waters, and mine eye a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people! 2  Oh that I had in the wilderness a traveller’s lodging-place, that I might leave my people, and go away from them! For they are all adulterers, an assembly of treacherous men. 3  And they bend their tongue, their bow of falsehood, and not for fidelity are they valiant in the land; for they proceed from evil to evil, and they know not me, saith Jehovah. 4  Take ye heed every one of his friend, and confide not in any brother; for every brother only supplanteth, and every friend goeth about with slander. 5  And they act deceitfully every one with his neighbour, and speak not the truth: they teach their tongue to speak falsehood, they weary themselves with perverse dealing. 6  Thy habitation is in the midst of deceit; through deceit they refuse to know me, saith Jehovah. 7  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? 8  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.