2 I wish I had a place to stay in the desert.I would abandon my people and go away from them.They are all adulterers,a mob of traitors.
3 They use their tongues like bows that shoot arrows.Lies and dishonesty rule the land.They go from one evil thing to another,and they don’t know me,” declares the Lord.
4 “Beware of your neighbors.Don’t trust your relatives.Every relative cheats.Every neighbor goes around slandering.
5 Everyone cheats his neighbor.No one speaks the truth.My people train their tongues to speak lies.They wear themselves out doing wrong.
6 Oppression follows oppression.Deceit follows deceit.They refuse to acknowledge me,” declares the Lord.
7 This is what the Lord of Armies says:I will now refine them with fire and test them.What else can I do for my dear people?
8 Their tongues are like deadly arrows.They speak deceitfully.People speak politely to their neighbors,but they think of ways to set traps for them.