1. “I wish that my head were ⌊filled with⌋ waterand my eyes were a fountain of tearsso that I could cry day and nightfor my dear people who have been killed.
2. I wish I had a place to stay in the desert.I would abandon my people and go away from them.They are all adulterers,a mob of traitors.
3. They use their tongues like bows that shoot arrows.Lies and dishonesty rule the land.They go from one evil thing to another,and they don’t know me,” declares the Lord.
4. “Beware of your neighbors.Don’t trust your relatives.Every relative cheats.Every neighbor goes around slandering.
5. Everyone cheats his neighbor.No one speaks the truth.My people train their tongues to speak lies.They wear themselves out doing wrong.
6. Oppression follows oppression.Deceit follows deceit.They refuse to acknowledge me,” declares the Lord.
7. This is what the Lord of Armies says:I will now refine them with fire and test them.What else can I do for my dear people?
8. Their tongues are like deadly arrows.They speak deceitfully.People speak politely to their neighbors,but they think of ways to set traps for them.
9. I will punish them for these things, declares the Lord.I will punish this nation.I still won’t be satisfied.