5. Everyone deceives his neighbor,and no one speaks the truth;they have taught their tongue to speak lies;they weary themselves committing iniquity.
6. Heaping oppression upon oppression, and deceit upon deceit, they refuse to know me, declares the Lord.
7. Therefore thus says the Lord of hosts:“Behold, I will refine them and test them,for what else can I do, because of my people?
8. Their tongue is a deadly arrow; it speaks deceitfully;with his mouth each speaks peace to his neighbor,but in his heart he plans an ambush for him.
9. Shall I not punish them for these things? declares the Lord,and shall I not avenge myselfon a nation such as this?
10. “I will take up weeping and wailing for the mountains,and a lamentation for the pastures of the wilderness, because they are laid waste so that no one passes through,and the lowing of cattle is not heard; both the birds of the air and the beastshave fled and are gone.
11. I will make Jerusalem a heap of ruins, a lair of jackals, and I will make the cities of Judah a desolation,without inhabitant.”