Jeremiah 9:3-9

International Children’s Bible

Judah’s Failures

³“They use their tongues like a bow.
    They shoot lies from their mouths like arrows.
Lies, not truth,
    have grown strong in the land.
They go from one evil thing to another.
    They do not know who I am,” says the Lord.
⁴“Watch your friends.
    Don’t trust your own brothers.
This is because every brother is a cheater.
    And every friend tells lies about you.
⁵Everyone lies to his friend.
    No one speaks the truth.
The people of Judah have taught their tongues to lie.
    They become tired from sinning.
⁶Jeremiah, you live in the middle of evil.
    And lies follow lies.
The people have refused to know me,” says the Lord.

⁷So this is what the Lord of heaven’s armies says:

“I will test the people of Judah as a person tests metal in a fire.
    I have no other choice.
    My people have sinned.
⁸Their tongues are like sharp arrows.
    Their mouths speak lies.
Everyone speaks nicely to his neighbor.
    But he is secretly planning to attack him.
⁹Shouldn’t I punish the people for doing this?” says the Lord.
    “Shouldn’t I give them the punishment they deserve?”