3 “And they bend their tongue like a bow. Falsehood, and not truth, prevails on the earth. For they proceed from evil to evil, and they have not known Me,” declares יהוה.
4 “Let everyone beware of his neighbour and not trust any brother. For every brother catches by the heel, and every neighbour walks with slanderers.
5 “And everyone deceives his neighbour, and no one speaks the truth. They have taught their tongue to speak falsehood, and have wearied themselves to crook.
6 “You live in the midst of deceit; through deceit they have refused to know Me,” declares יהוה.
7 Therefore thus said יהוה of hosts, “See, I shall refine them, and shall try them, for what shall I do because of the daughter of My people?
8 “Their tongue is an arrow shot out. It speaks deceit – speaks peaceably to his neighbour with his mouth, but in his heart he sets his ambush.
9 “Would I not punish them for this?” declares יהוה. “Would I not revenge Myself on such a nation as this?”