Jeremiah 9:3-9
International Children’s Bible
Judah’s Failures
3 “They use their tongues like a bow.
They shoot lies from their mouths like arrows.
Lies, not truth,
have grown strong in the land.
They go from one evil thing to another.
They do not know who I am,” says the Lord.
4 “Watch your friends.
Don’t trust your own brothers.
This is because every brother is a cheater.
And every friend tells lies about you.
5 Everyone lies to his friend.
No one speaks the truth.
The people of Judah have taught their tongues to lie.
They become tired from sinning.
6 Jeremiah, you live in the middle of evil.
And lies follow lies.
The people have refused to know me,” says the Lord.
7 So this is what the Lord of heaven’s armies says:
“I will test the people of Judah as a person tests metal in a fire.
I have no other choice.
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.
9 Shouldn’t I punish the people for doing this?” says the Lord.
“Shouldn’t I give them the punishment they deserve?”
Jeremiah 9:3-9
New International Version
3 “They make ready their tongue
like a bow, to shoot lies;(A)
it is not by truth
that they triumph[a] in the land.
They go from one sin to another;
they do not acknowledge(B) me,”
declares the Lord.
4 “Beware of your friends;(C)
do not trust anyone in your clan.(D)
For every one of them is a deceiver,[b](E)
and every friend a slanderer.(F)
5 Friend deceives friend,(G)
and no one speaks the truth.(H)
They have taught their tongues to lie;(I)
they weary themselves with sinning.
6 You[c] live in the midst of deception;(J)
in their deceit they refuse to acknowledge me,”
declares the Lord.
7 Therefore this is what the Lord Almighty says:
“See, I will refine(K) and test(L) them,
for what else can I do
because of the sin of my people?
8 Their tongue(M) is a deadly arrow;
it speaks deceitfully.
With their mouths they all speak cordially to their neighbors,(N)
but in their hearts they set traps(O) for them.(P)
9 Should I not punish them for this?”
declares the Lord.
“Should I not avenge(Q) myself
on such a nation as this?”
Footnotes
- Jeremiah 9:3 Or lies; / they are not valiant for truth
- Jeremiah 9:4 Or a deceiving Jacob
- Jeremiah 9:6 That is, Jeremiah (the Hebrew is singular)
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