Jeremiah 23:21-40

21I did not send out these prophets, yet they ran. I did not speak to them, yet they prophesied.

22If they had really stood in my council, they would have enabled my people to hear my words and would have turned them from their evil ways and their evil deeds.

23“Am I a God who is only near”  — this is the Lord’s declaration — “and not a God who is far away?

24Can a person hide in secret places where I cannot see him?”  — the Lord’s declaration. “Do I not fill the heavens and the earth?”  — the Lord’s declaration.

25“I have heard what the prophets who prophesy a lie in my name have said: ‘I had a dream! I had a dream! ’

26How long will this continue in the minds of the prophets prophesying lies, prophets of the deceit of their own minds?

27Through their dreams that they tell one another, they plan to cause my people to forget my name as their ancestors forgot my name through Baal worship.

28The prophet who has only a dream should recount the dream, but the one who has my word should speak my word truthfully, for what is straw compared to grain?” — this is the Lord’s declaration.

29“Is not my word like fire” — this is the Lord’s declaration — “and like a hammer that pulverizes rock?

30Therefore, take note! I am against the prophets”  — the Lord’s declaration — “who steal my words from each other.

31I am against the prophets” — the Lord’s declaration — “who use their own tongues to make a declaration.

32I am against those who prophesy false dreams”  — the Lord’s declaration — “telling them and leading my people astray with their reckless lies. It was not I who sent or commanded them, and they are of no benefit at all to these people” — this is the Lord’s declaration.

33“Now when these people or a prophet or a priest asks you, ‘What is the burden of the Lord? ’ you will respond to them, ‘What is the burden? I will throw you away! This is the Lord’s declaration.’

34As for the prophet, priest, or people who say, ‘The burden of the Lord,’ I will punish that man and his household.

35This is what each man is to say to his friend and to his brother: ‘What has the Lord answered? ’ or ‘What has the Lord spoken?’

36But no longer refer to the burden of the Lord, for each man’s word becomes his burden and you pervert the words of the living God, the Lord of Armies, our God.

37Say to the prophet, ‘What has the Lord answered you? ’ or ‘What has the Lord spoken?’

38But if you say, ‘The burden of the Lord,’ then this is what the Lord says: Because you have said, ‘The burden of the Lord,’ and I specifically told you not to say, ‘The burden of the Lord,’

39I will surely forget you. I will throw you away from my presence — both you and the city that I gave you and your ancestors.

40I will bring on you everlasting disgrace and humiliation that will never be forgotten.”