3  They bend their tongue like a bow;

falsehood and not truth has grown strong¹ in the land;

for they proceed from evil to evil,

and they do not know me, declares the Lord.

8  Their tongue is a deadly arrow;

it speaks deceitfully;

with his mouth each speaks peace to his neighbor,

but in his heart he plans an ambush for him.

21  You shall be hidden from the lash of the tongue,

and shall not fear destruction when it comes.

20  In the ^mcover of your presence you hide them

from the plots of men;

you store them in your ⁿshelter

from the strife of tongues.