3. “My people bend their tongues like bowsto shoot out lies.They refuse to stand up for the truth.They only go from bad to worse.They do not know me,”says the lord.
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?