2. Oh, that I had in the wildernessa lodging place of wayfaring men,that I might leave my peopleand go from them!For they all are adulterers,an assembly of treacherous men.
3. They bend their tongues like their bow;lies and not truth prevail upon the land;for they proceed from evil to evil,and they do not know Me,says the Lord.
4. Let everyone be on guard against his neighbor,and do not trust in any brother;for every brother supplants,and every neighbor walks about with slanders.
5. Everyone deceives his neighborand does not speak the truth.They have taught their tongue to speak lies;they weary themselves in committing iniquity.
6. Your habitation is in the midst of deceit;through deceit they refuse to know Me,says the Lord.
7. Therefore thus says the Lord of Hosts: Now, I will refine them and assay them;for what else shall I dofor the daughter of My people?
8. Their tongue is a deadly arrow;it speaks deceit.One speaks peaceably to his neighbor with his mouth,but in his heart he lies in wait.
9. Shall I not punish them for these things?says the Lord.Shall not My soul be avengedon such a nation as this?