Jeremiah 9:6–8

6 You live in the midst of deception;

in their deceit they refuse to acknowledge me,”

declares the Lord.

7 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?

8 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.

6 Heaping oppression upon oppression, and deceit upon deceit,

they refuse to know me, declares the Lord.

7 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?

8 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.

6 Thine habitation is in the midst of deceit;

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

7 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?

8 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.

6 They pile lie upon lie

and utterly refuse to acknowledge me,”

says the Lord.

7 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?

8 For their tongues shoot lies like poisoned arrows.

They speak friendly words to their neighbors

while scheming in their heart to kill them.

6 Your dwelling place is in the midst of deceit;

Through deceit they refuse to know Me,” says the Lord.

7 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?

8 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.

6 Jeremiah, you live in the middle of lies.

With their lies the people refuse to know me,” says the Lord.

7 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.

8 Their tongues are like sharp arrows.

Their mouths speak lies.

Everyone speaks nicely to his neighbor,

but he is secretly planning to attack him.

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 should I do, because of the daughter of my people? 8 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.

6 Oppression follows oppression.

Deceit follows deceit. 

They refuse to acknowledge me,” declares the Lord. 

7 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? 

8 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. 

6 You live in a world of deception.

In their deception they refuse to know Me.

This is the Lord’s declaration.

7 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?

8 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.

6 Oppression upon oppression, deceit upon deceit!

They refuse to know me, says the Lord.

7 Therefore thus says the Lord of hosts:

I will now refine and test them,

for what else can I do with the daughter of my people?

8 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.

6 Your dwelling is in the midst of deceit,

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

7 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?

8 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.

6 Jeremiah, you live among people who tell lies.

When they lie, they refuse to pay any attention to me,”

announces the Lord.

7 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!

8 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.

6 “Your dwelling is in the midst of deceit;

Through deceit they refuse to know Me,” declares the Lord.

7 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?

8 “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.