Nothing they say can be trusted; their main desire is to destroy. Their throat is like an open grave; their tongues are full of flattery.
At the Ahava Canal I called for a fast so we could confess our sins before God and ask him for a safe journey for us and our children, along with all our possessions.
Lord, teach me your way and lead me along the right path, because my enemies are against me—
But you want truth on the inside; you teach me wisdom deep within.
You plot to make people suffer; your words cut like a sharp razor, you liar!
They plan to throw me down from my high position; they love to tell lies. They say nice things to me, but inside they're cursing me. Selah.
Ordinary people are mere breaths, while leaders are just fakes. Put them all together and weigh them on scales and they wouldn't weigh more than air!
They plot wicked things. “What a great plan we've created!” they say. There are no limits to the depths to which human minds and thoughts can sink.
You—you know my shame, my disgrace, my humiliation. You see everything my enemies are doing.
Those who flatter their friends lay a net to trip them up.
You God, do what is right, and you straighten out the way for those who live right; you smooth out their path.
The mind is more deceptive than anything else—it's incurably sick! Who can possibly understand it?
Clean the evil from your heart, Jerusalem, so that you can be saved. How long will you hold onto your evil thoughts?
Your rich people make money by using violence; they tell lies and practice deceit.
So the Lord told him, “You Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside you're full of greed and wickedness.
Shame on you! You are like unmarked graves that people walk over without knowing.”
Their throats are like an open grave; their tongues spread deceit; their lips ooze with the venom of snakes.
As you know, we've never used flattering words. Nor were we covering up some greedy, selfish attitude—as God is our witness!