³ They sharpen their tongues like swords^(A)
    and aim cruel words like deadly arrows.^(B)

⁷ Let them vanish like water that flows away;^(A)
    when they draw the bow, let their arrows fall short.^(B)

⁴ I am in the midst of lions;^(A)
    I am forced to dwell among ravenous beasts—
men whose teeth are spears and arrows,
    whose tongues are sharp swords.^(B)

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.

¹⁸ The words of the reckless pierce like swords,^(A)
    but the tongue of the wise brings healing.^(B)

¹⁷     no weapon forged against you will prevail,^(A)
    and you will refute^(B) every tongue that accuses you.
This is the heritage of the servants^(C) of the Lord,
    and this is their vindication^(D) from me,”
declares the Lord.

¹⁴ those whose teeth^(A) are swords
    and whose jaws are set with knives^(B)
to devour^(C) the poor^(D) from the earth
    and the needy from among mankind.^(E)