Jeremiah 9:3–9

³They are always ready to tell lies;

dishonesty instead of truth rules the land.

The Lord says,

“My people do one evil thing after another,

and do not acknowledge me as their God.”

⁴Everyone must be on guard against his friend,

and no one can trust his brother;

for every brother is as deceitful as Jacob,

and everyone slanders his friends.

^5–6They all mislead their friends,

and no one tells the truth;

they have taught their tongues to lie

and will not give up their sinning.

They do one violent thing after another,

and one deceitful act follows another.

The Lord says that his people reject him.

⁷Because of this the Lord Almighty says,

“I will refine my people like metal

and put them to the test.

My people have done evil—

what else can I do with them?

⁸Their tongues are like deadly arrows;

they always tell lies.

Everyone speaks friendly words to his neighbour,

but is really setting a trap for him.

⁹Will I not punish them for these things?

Will I not take revenge on a nation like this?

I, the Lord, have spoken.”