People lie to one another; ¹  they flatter and deceive. ² 

They mock ¹  and say evil things; ²  they proudly threaten violence. ³ 

They will proclaim the splendor of your kingdom; they will tell about your power,

I said to myself, ‘Age ¹  should speak, ²  and length of years ³  should make wisdom known.’

They spew out threats ¹  and speak defiantly; all the evildoers boast. ² 

They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but cannot see,

They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but cannot see,

She said, “In the past they would always say, ‘Let them inquire in Abel,’ and that is how they settled things.

And I have waited. ¹  But because they do not speak, because they stand there and answer no more,

For they do not try to make peace with others, ¹  but plan ways to deceive those who are unsuspecting. ² 

“Listen to me in silence, you coastlands! ¹  Let the nations find renewed strength! Let them approach and then speak; let us come together for debate! ² 

and listen to what they are saying. Then you will be brave ¹  and attack the camp.” So he went down with Purah his servant to where the sentries were guarding the camp. ² 

How blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! They will not be put to shame ¹  when they confront ²  enemies at the city gate.

Also, do not pay attention to everything that people ¹  say; otherwise, ²  you might even hear ³  your servant cursing you.

One friend deceives another and no one tells the truth. These people have trained themselves ¹  to tell lies. They do wrong and are unable to repent.

The bravest of the warriors will speak to him from the midst of Sheol along with his allies, saying: ‘The uncircumcised have come down; they lie still, killed by the sword.’

These two kings, their minds ¹  filled with evil intentions, will trade ²  lies with one another at the same table. But it will not succeed, for there is still an end at the appointed time.

I have listened to them very carefully, ¹  but they do not speak honestly. None of them regrets the evil he has done. None of them says, “I have done wrong!” ²  All of them persist in their own wayward course ³  like a horse charging recklessly into battle.

Such idols are like scarecrows in a cucumber field. They cannot talk. They must be carried because they cannot walk. Do not be afraid of them because they cannot hurt you. And they do not have any power to help you.” ¹ 

As a matter of fact, ¹  even your own brothers and the members of your own family have betrayed you too. Even they have plotted to do away with you. ²  So do not trust them even when they say kind things ³  to you.