4 “Beware of your neighbor!Don’t even trust your brother!For brother takes advantage of brother,and friend slanders friend.
5 They all fool and defraud each other;no one tells the truth.With practiced tongues they tell lies;they wear themselves out with all their sinning.
6 They pile lie upon lieand utterly refuse to acknowledge me,”says the lord.
7 Therefore, this is what the lord of Heaven’s Armies says:“See, I will melt them down in a crucibleand test them like metal.What else can I do with my people?
8 For their tongues shoot lies like poisoned arrows.They speak friendly words to their neighborswhile scheming in their heart to kill them.
9 Should I not punish them for this?” says the lord.“Should I not avenge myself against such a nation?”
10 I will weep for the mountainsand wail for the wilderness pastures.For they are desolate and empty of life;the lowing of cattle is heard no more;the birds and wild animals have all fled.