Jeremiah 9:3–9

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. ^f

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, ^g

and every friend spread slander. ^h

⁵Each one betrays his friend; ⁱ

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. ^jk

In their deception they refuse to know Me. ^l

This is the Lord’s declaration.

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

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

for what else can I do

because of My dear ⁿpeople? ^o

⁸Their tongues are deadly arrows—

they speak deception. ^p

With his mouth

a man 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 ^q

on such a nation as this?