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.

¹⁴ The wicked draw the sword^(A)
    and bend the bow^(B)
to bring down the poor and needy,^(C)
    to slay those whose ways are upright.

¹² You will make them turn their backs^(A)
    when you aim at them with drawn bow.

³ They sharpen their tongues like swords^(A)
    and aim cruel words like deadly arrows.^(B)
4 They shoot from ambush at the innocent;^(C)
    they shoot suddenly, without fear.^(D)

⁵ They encourage each other in evil plans,
    they talk about hiding their snares;^(E)
    they say, “Who will see it^[a]?”^(F)