Jeremiah 9:3–9

3 And they bend their tongue like their bow,

for falsehood and not truth is superior in the land,

for they go forthd from evil to evil,

and they do not know me,” ⌊declares⌋e Yahweh.

A Nation Characterized by Deceit

4 “Let everyone be on your guard against his neighbor,

and you must not trust in any brother,

for everyone surely betrays,

and every neighbor goes about with slander.

5 And everyone deceives his neighbor,

and they do not speak the truth,

they have taught their tonguesf to speak lies,g

they are tired from going astray.

6 Your dwelling is in the midst of deceit,

uponh deceit they refuse to know me,” ⌊declares⌋i 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⌋j 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.

9 Because of these things shall I not punish them?” ⌊declares⌋k Yahweh,

“On a nation that is like this shall I not take revenge?