4 Let everyone beware of his neighbor,and put no trust in any brother,for every brother is a deceiver,and every neighbor goes about as a slanderer.
5 Everyone deceives his neighbor,and no one speaks the truth;they have taught their tongue to speak lies;they weary themselves committing iniquity.
6 Heaping oppression upon oppression, and deceit upon deceit, they refuse to know me, declares the Lord.
7 Therefore thus says the Lord of hosts:“Behold, I will refine them and test them,for what else can I do, because of my people?
8 Their tongue is a deadly arrow; it speaks deceitfully;with his mouth each speaks peace to his neighbor,but in his heart he plans an ambush for him.
9 Shall I not punish them for these things? declares the Lord,and shall I not avenge myselfon a nation such as this?
10 “I will take up weeping and wailing for the mountains,and a lamentation for the pastures of the wilderness, because they are laid waste so that no one passes through,and the lowing of cattle is not heard; both the birds of the air and the beastshave fled and are gone.