Jeremiah 9:5

3 “They bend their tongues like bows; lies prevail over truth in the land. For they proceed from evil to evil, and they do not take Me into account,” declares the LORD.

4 “Let everyone guard against his neighbor; do not trust any brother, for every brother deals craftily, and every friend spreads slander.

Each one betrays his friend; no one tells the truth. They have taught their tongues to lie; they wear themselves out committing iniquity.

6 You dwell in the midst of deception; in their deceit they refuse to know Me,” declares the LORD.

7 Therefore this is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Behold, I will refine them and test them, for what else can I do because of the daughter of My people?

Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
Each one betrays his friend; no one tells the truth. They have taught their tongues to lie; they wear themselves out committing iniquity.
KJV
And they will deceive every one his neighbour, and will not speak the truth: they have taught their tongue to speak lies, and weary themselves to commit iniquity.
WEB
Friends deceive each other, and will not speak the truth. They have taught their tongue to speak lies. They weary themselves committing iniquity.
ASV
And they will deceive every one his neighbor, and will not speak the truth: they have taught their tongue to speak lies; they weary themselves to commit iniquity.
DARBY
And they act deceitfully every one with his neighbour, and speak not the truth: they teach their tongue to speak falsehood, they weary themselves with perverse dealing.
BLB
And each man will deceive his neighbor, and they will not speak the truth; they have taught their tongue to speak deception, and they weary themselves to commit iniquity.
ÅB
Og de bruker svik, hver mot sin venn, og sannhet taler de ikke; de har lært opp sin tunge til å tale løgn, de har trettet seg ut med å gjøre urett.
OTB
Venn bedrar venn, og ingen taler sannhet. De har lært sine tunger å tale løgn; de sliter seg ut med ondskap.
B1930
Og de bruker svik, hver mot sin venn, og sannhet taler de ikke; de har lært op sin tunge til å tale løgn, de har trettet sig ut med å gjøre urett.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Habakkuk 2:13

    Is it not indeed from the LORD of Hosts that the labor of the people only feeds the fire, and the nations weary themselves in vain?

    Read in context
  • Isaiah 57:10

    You are wearied by your many journeys, but you did not say, “There is no hope!” You found renewal of your strength; therefore you did not grow weak.

    Read in context
  • Micah 6:12

    For the wealthy of the city are full of violence, and its residents speak lies; their tongues are deceitful in their mouths.

    Read in context
  • Job 15:5

    For your iniquity instructs your mouth, and you choose the language of the crafty.

    Read in context
  • Isaiah 59:13–15

    rebelling and denying the LORD, turning away from our God, speaking oppression and revolt, conceiving and uttering lies from the heart.

    Read in context
  • Proverbs 4:16

    For they cannot sleep unless they do evil; they are deprived of slumber until they make someone fall.

    Read in context
  • Jeremiah 9:3

    “They bend their tongues like bows; lies prevail over truth in the land. For they proceed from evil to evil, and they do not take Me into account,” declares the LORD.

    Read in context
  • Isaiah 5:18

    Woe to those who draw iniquity with cords of deceit and pull sin along with cart ropes,

    Read in context