Jeremiah 29:31

31 “Send an open letter to all the exiles in Babylon. Tell them, ‘This is what the LORD says concerning Shemaiah the Nehelamite: Since he has prophesied to you when I did not send him and has tricked you into believing his lies,

Jeremiah 29:31 Meaning and Commentary

Jeremiah 29:31

Send to all them of the captivity
Another letter; not to Shemaiah, but to the people, that they might all know that he was a false prophet; and how his lies were resented by the Lord; and what punishment should be inflicted on him and his, on account of them: saying, thus saith the Lord concerning Shemaiah the Nehelamite;
the letter, though written by the prophet, must be sent in the name of the Lord, declaring what he would do with the person mentioned, and the reason of it; which follows: because that Shemaiah hath prophesied unto you, and I sent him not,
and he caused you to trust in a lie;
that they should in a very little time return from their captivity to Jerusalem.

Jeremiah 29:31 In-Context

29 But when Zephaniah the priest received Shemaiah’s letter, he took it to Jeremiah and read it to him.

30 Then the LORD gave this message to Jeremiah:

31 “Send an open letter to all the exiles in Babylon. Tell them, ‘This is what the LORD says concerning Shemaiah the Nehelamite: Since he has prophesied to you when I did not send him and has tricked you into believing his lies,

32 I will punish him and his family. None of his descendants will see the good things I will do for my people, for he has incited you to rebel against me. I, the LORD, have spoken!’”