“They (A)bend their tongues like their bows;
Lies and not truth prevail in the land;
For they (B)proceed from evil to evil,
And they (C)do not know Me,” declares the Lord.
“Let everyone (D)be on guard against his neighbor,
And (E)do not trust any brother;
Because every (F)brother utterly [a]betrays,
And every neighbor (G)goes about as a slanderer.
Everyone (H)deceives his neighbor
And does not speak the truth.
They have taught their tongue to speak lies;
They (I)weary themselves committing wrongdoing.
Your (J)dwelling is in the midst of deceit;
Through deceit they (K)refuse to know Me,” declares the Lord.

Therefore this is what the Lord of armies says:

“Behold, I will refine them and (L)put them to the test;
For (M)what else can I do, because of the daughter of My people?
Their (N)tongue is a deadly arrow;
It speaks deceit;
With his mouth one (O)speaks peace to his neighbor,
But inwardly he (P)sets an ambush for him.
(Q)Shall I not punish them for these things?” declares the Lord.
“Shall I not avenge Myself
On a nation such as this?

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Notas al pie

  1. Jeremiah 9:4 I.e., like Jacob (a play on words)

They bend their tongues like bows
        to spew out lies;
    they are renowned in the land,
        but not for truth.
They go from bad to worse.
    They don’t know me!
        declares the Lord.
Be wary of your friends!
    Don’t trust your sibling![a]
    Every sibling is a cheater,
        and every friend traffics in slander.
One cheats the other;
    no one tells the truth;
        they train themselves to lie;
        they wear themselves out by doing wrong.
You live in a world of deceit,
    and in their deceit
    they refuse to know me,[b]
        declares the Lord.
Therefore, the Lord of heavenly forces proclaims:
I’m going to refine and test them,
    for what else can I do with my people?
Their tongue is a lethal arrow;
    their words are deceitful.
They wish their neighbors well,
    but in their hearts plot their ruin.
Shouldn’t I punish them for this?
        declares the Lord;
    shouldn’t I avenge such a nation?

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Notas al pie

  1. Jeremiah 9:4 Or brother
  2. Jeremiah 9:6 Heb uncertain