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