² They utter lies to each other;
    with flattering lips and a deceitful heart they speak.^(A)

²¹ with speech smoother than butter
    but with a heart set on war,
with words that were softer than oil
    but in fact were drawn swords.^(A)

⁹ Do not sweep me away with sinners
    nor my life with the bloodthirsty,^(A)

⁸ 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.^(A)
9 Shall I not punish them for these things? says the Lord,
    and shall I not bring retribution
    on a nation such as this?^(B)

⁴ Their only plan is to bring down a person of prominence.
    They take pleasure in falsehood;
they bless with their mouths,
    but inwardly they curse. Selah^(A)

²³ Like the glaze^[a] covering an earthen vessel
    are smooth^[b] lips with an evil heart.
²⁴ An enemy dissembles in speaking
    while harboring deceit within;^(A)
25 when an enemy speaks graciously, do not believe it,
    for there are seven abominations concealed within;^(B)
26 though hatred is covered with guile,
    the enemy’s wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.^(C)