The one who hides his hatred while pretending to be your friend is nothing but a liar. But the one who slanders you behind your back proves that he’s a fool, never to be trusted.
Never take selfish advantage of a brother or sister in this matter, for we’ve already told you and solemnly warned you that the Lord is the avenger in all these things.
“Be on your guard! For there will be those who will betray you before their religious councils and brutally beat you with whips in their public gatherings.
In your city are those who slander in order to have someone murdered. Living among you are those who eat food sacrificed to false gods in mountain shrines and commit obscene acts.
We have rebelled and even tried to deny Yahweh; we have forsaken our God. Our speech stirs up oppression and revolt, and our hearts conceive, then confess, lies.
Their words are deadly arrows poisoned with deceit. Each one greets his neighbor with ‘Shalom,’ but deep in his heart, he secretly sets a trap for him.