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“They bend their tongue,
    as their bow, for falsehood.
They have grown strong in the land,
    but not for truth;
for they proceed from evil to evil,
    and they don’t know me,” says Yahweh.
“Everyone beware of his neighbor,
    and don’t trust in any brother;
for every brother will utterly supplant,
    and every neighbor will go around like a slanderer.
Friends deceive each other,
    and will not speak the truth.
They have taught their tongue to speak lies.
    They weary themselves commiting iniquity.
Your habitation is in the middle of deceit.
    Through deceit, they refuse to know me,” says Yahweh.

Therefore Yahweh of Armies says,

“Behold, I will melt them and test them;
    for how should I deal with the daughter of my people?
Their tongue is a deadly arrow.
    It speaks deceit.
One speaks peaceably to his neighbor with his mouth,
    but in his heart, he waits to ambush him.
Shouldn’t I punish them for these things?” says Yahweh.
    “Shouldn’t my soul be avenged on a nation such as this?

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They bend their tongues like bows;
    they have grown strong in the land for falsehood and not for truth,
for they proceed from evil to evil,
    and they do not know me, says the Lord.(A)

Beware of your neighbors,
    and put no trust in any of your kin,
for all your kin are supplanters,
    and every neighbor goes around like a slanderer.(B)
They all deceive their neighbors,
    and no one speaks the truth;
they have taught their tongues to speak lies;
    they commit iniquity and are too weary to repent.[a](C)
Oppression upon oppression, deceit[b] upon deceit!
    They refuse to know me, says the Lord.(D)

Therefore thus says the Lord of hosts:
I will now refine and test them,
    for what else can I do with the daughter of my people?(E)
Their tongue is a deadly arrow;
    it speaks deceit through the mouth.
They all speak friendly words to their neighbors
    but inwardly are planning to lay an ambush.(F)
Shall I not punish them for these things? says the Lord,
    and shall I not bring retribution
    on a nation such as this?(G)

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Footnotes

  1. 9.5 Cn Compare Gk: Heb they weary themselves with iniquity. Your dwelling
  2. 9.6 Cn Compare Gk: Heb Your dwelling in the midst of deceit