Jeremiah 9:7-9

7So the Lord Almighty says this: ‘Listen! I will test my people, like a man uses fire to make metal become pure. I must punish them like this because they are so wicked. There is nothing else that I can do!

8Their tongues are like arrows that have poison. They hurt people with their lies. They speak kind words to their neighbours, but they are looking for a way to cheat them.

9I must certainly punish them for what they have done. I will pay back this wicked nation for their sins.’ That is what the Lord says.