Jeremiah 23:9-32

9Concerning the prophets: My heart is broken within me, and all my bones tremble. I have become like a drunkard, like a man overcome by wine, because of the Lord, because of his holy words.

10For the land is full of adulterers; the land mourns because of the curse, and the grazing lands in the wilderness have dried up. Their way of life has become evil, and their power is not rightly used

11because both prophet and priest are ungodly, even in my house I have found their evil. This is the Lord’s declaration.

12Therefore, their way will seem like slippery paths in the gloom. They will be driven away and fall down there, for I will bring disaster on them, the year of their punishment. This is the Lord’s declaration.

13Among the prophets of Samaria I saw something disgusting: They prophesied by Baal and led my people Israel astray.

14Among the prophets of Jerusalem also I saw a horrible thing: They commit adultery and walk in lies. They strengthen the hands of evildoers, and none turns his back on evil. They are all like Sodom to me; Jerusalem’s residents are like Gomorrah.

15Therefore, this is what the Lord of Armies says concerning the prophets: I am about to feed them wormwood and give them poisoned water to drink, for from the prophets of Jerusalem ungodliness has spread throughout the land.

16This is what the Lord of Armies says: “Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you. They are deluding you. They speak visions from their own minds, not from the Lord’s mouth.

17They keep on saying to those who despise me, ‘The Lord has spoken: You will have peace.’ They have said to everyone who follows the stubbornness of his heart, ‘No harm will come to you.’”

18For who has stood in the council of the Lord to see and hear his word? Who has paid attention to his word and obeyed?

19Look, a storm from the Lord! Wrath has gone out, a whirling storm. It will whirl about the heads of the wicked.

20The Lord’s anger will not turn away until he has completely fulfilled the purposes of his heart. In time to come you will understand it clearly.

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.