Study Desk

"They make ready their tongue like a bow, to shoot lies; it is not by truth that they triumph in the land. They go from one sin to another; they do not acknowledge me," declares the LORD.

"They make ready their tongue like a bow, to shoot lies; it is not by truth that they triumph in the land. They go from one sin to another; they do not acknowledge me," declares the Lord.

"Beware of your friends; do not trust your brothers. For every brother is a deceiver, and every friend a slanderer.

"Beware of your friends; do not trust anyone in your clan. For every one of them is a deceiver, and every friend a slanderer.

Friend deceives friend, and no one speaks the truth. They have taught their tongues to lie; they weary themselves with sinning.

Friend deceives friend, and no one speaks the truth. They have taught their tongues to lie; they weary themselves with sinning.

You live in the midst of deception; in their deceit they refuse to acknowledge me," declares the LORD.

You live in the midst of deception; in their deceit they refuse to acknowledge me," declares the Lord.

Therefore this is what the LORD Almighty says: "See, I will refine and test them, for what else can I do because of the sin of my people?

Therefore this is what the Lord Almighty says: "See, I will refine and test them, for what else can I do because of the sin of my people?

Their tongue is a deadly arrow; it speaks with deceit. With his mouth each speaks cordially to his neighbor, but in his heart he sets a trap for him.

Their tongue is a deadly arrow; it speaks deceitfully. With their mouths they all speak cordially to their neighbors, but in their hearts they set traps for them.

Should I not punish them for this?" declares the LORD. "Should I not avenge myself on such a nation as this?"

Should I not punish them for this?" declares the Lord. "Should I not avenge myself on such a nation as this?"