Jeremiah 23:9-32 (New International Version)
View In My BibleLying Prophets
9 Concerning the prophets: My heart1 is broken within me; all my bones tremble.2 I am like a drunken man, like a man overcome by wine, because of the LORD and his holy words.3 10 The land is full of adulterers;4 because of the cursea5 the land lies parchedb and the pastures6 in the desert are withered.7 The [ prophets] follow an evil course and use their power unjustly. 11 "Both prophet and priest are godless;8 even in my temple9 I find their wickedness," declares the LORD. 12 "Therefore their path will become slippery;10 they will be banished to darkness and there they will fall. I will bring disaster on them in the year they are punished,11" declares the LORD. 13 "Among the prophets of Samaria I saw this repulsive thing: They prophesied by Baal12 and led my people Israel astray.13 14 And among the prophets of Jerusalem I have seen something horrible:14 They commit adultery and live a lie.15 They strengthen the hands of evildoers,16 so that no one turns from his wickedness.17 They are all like Sodom18 to me; the people of Jerusalem are like Gomorrah."19 15 Therefore, this is what the LORD Almighty says concerning the prophets: "I will make them eat bitter food and drink poisoned water,20 because from the prophets of Jerusalem ungodliness21 has spread throughout the land." 16 This is what the LORD Almighty says: "Do not listen22 to what the prophets are prophesying to you; they fill you with false hopes. They speak visions23 from their own minds, not from the mouth24 of the LORD. 17 They keep saying25 to those who despise me, 'The LORD says: You will have peace.'26 And to all who follow the stubbornness27 of their hearts they say, 'No harm28 will come to you.' 18 But which of them has stood in the council29 of the LORD to see or to hear his word? Who has listened and heard his word? 19 See, the storm30 of the LORD will burst out in wrath, a whirlwind31 swirling down on the heads of the wicked. 20 The anger32 of the LORD will not turn back33 until he fully accomplishes the purposes of his heart. In days to come you will understand it clearly. 21 I did not send34 these prophets, yet they have run with their message; I did not speak to them, yet they have prophesied. 22 But if they had stood in my council,35 they would have proclaimed36 my words to my people and would have turned37 them from their evil ways and from their evil deeds.38 23 "Am I only a God nearby,39" declares the LORD, "and not a God far away? 24 Can anyone hide40 in secret places so that I cannot see him?" declares the LORD. "Do not I fill heaven and earth?"41 declares the LORD. 25 "I have heard what the prophets say who prophesy lies42 in my name. They say, 'I had a dream!43 I had a dream!' 26 How long will this continue in the hearts of these lying prophets, who prophesy the delusions44 of their own minds?45 27 They think the dreams they tell one another will make my people forget46 my name, just as their fathers forgot47 my name through Baal worship.48 28 Let the prophet who has a dream49 tell his dream, but let the one who has my word50 speak it faithfully. For what has straw to do with grain?" declares the LORD. 29 "Is not my word like fire,"51 declares the LORD, "and like a hammer52 that breaks a rock in pieces? 30 "Therefore," declares the LORD, "I am against53 the prophets54 who steal from one another words supposedly from me. 31 Yes," declares the LORD, "I am against the prophets who wag their own tongues and yet declare, 'The LORD declares.'55 32 Indeed, I am against those who prophesy false dreams,56" declares the LORD. "They tell them and lead my people astray57 with their reckless lies,58 yet I did not send59 or appoint them. They do not benefit60 these people in the least," declares the LORD.Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide. (New International Version Bible Online)
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