Jeremiah 9:3-9

Modern English Version

³ They bend their tongues like their bow;
    lies and not truth prevail upon the land;
for they proceed from evil to evil,
    and they do not know Me,
    says the Lord.
⁴ Let everyone be on guard against his neighbor,
    and do not trust in any brother;
for every brother supplants,
    and every neighbor walks about with slanders.
⁵ Everyone deceives his neighbor
    and does not speak the truth.
They have taught their tongue to speak lies;
    they weary themselves in committing iniquity.
⁶ Your habitation is in the midst of deceit;
    through deceit they refuse to know Me,
    says the Lord.

Now, I will refine them and assay them;
    for what else shall I do
    for the daughter of My people?
⁸ Their tongue is a deadly arrow;
    it speaks deceit.
One speaks peaceably to his neighbor with his mouth,
    but in his heart he lies in wait.
⁹ Shall I not punish them for these things?
    says the Lord.
Shall not My soul be avenged
    on such a nation as this?