Jeremiah 9:3-9

New International Reader's Version

³ “They get ready to use
    their tongues like bows,”
    announces the Lord.
“Their mouths shoot out lies like arrows.
    They tell lies to gain power in the land.
They go from one sin to another.
    They do not pay any attention to me.
⁴ Be on guard against your friends.
    Do not trust the members of your own family.
Every one of them cheats.
    Every friend tells lies.
⁵ One friend cheats another.
    No one tells the truth.
They have taught their tongues how to lie.
    They wear themselves out sinning.
⁶ Jeremiah, you live among people who tell lies.
    When they lie, they refuse to pay any attention to me,”
    announces the Lord.

“I will put them through the fire to test them.
    What else can I do?
    My people are so sinful!
⁸ Their tongues are like deadly arrows.
    They tell lies.
With their mouths all of them speak kindly to their neighbors.
    But in their hearts they set traps for them.
⁹ Shouldn’t I punish them for this?”
    announces the Lord.
“Shouldn’t I pay back the nation
    that does these things?”