Let us look at the next three verses from the passage in question, since Jeremiah himself explains what this "lying pen" is all about. 10 Therefore I will give their wives to other men and their fields to new owners. From the least to the greatest, all are greedy for gain; prophets and priests alike, all practice deceit. 11 They dress the wound of my people as though it were not serious.
9 “Au ni nani kati yenu ambaye kama mwanae akimwomba mkate atampa jiwe? 10 Au akimwomba samaki atampa nyoka? 11 Ikiwa ninyi mlio waovu mnafahamu jinsi ya kuwapa watoto wenu zawadi nzuri, ni mara ngapi zaidi Baba yenu wa mbinguni atawapa vitu vizuri wale wamwombao?