Worshiping Other Gods

13 ^[a]If a prophet,^(A) or one who foretells by dreams,^(B) appears among you and announces to you a sign or wonder, ² and if the sign^(C) or wonder spoken of takes place, and the prophet says, “Let us follow other gods”^(D) (gods you have not known) “and let us worship them,” ³ you must not listen to the words of that prophet^(E) or dreamer.^(F) The Lord your God is testing^(G) you to find out whether you love^(H) him with all your heart and with all your soul. ⁴ It is the Lord your God you must follow,^(I) and him you must revere.^(J) Keep his commands and obey him; serve him and hold fast^(K) to him. ⁵ That prophet or dreamer must be put to death^(L) for inciting rebellion against the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt and redeemed you from the land of slavery. That prophet or dreamer tried to turn^(M) you from the way the Lord your God commanded you to follow. You must purge the evil^(N) from among you.

²⁵ “I have heard what the prophets say who prophesy lies^(A) in my name. They say, ‘I had a dream!^(B) I had a dream!’ ²⁶ How long will this continue in the hearts of these lying prophets, who prophesy the delusions^(C) of their own minds?^{(D) 27} They think the dreams they tell one another will make my people forget^(E) my name, just as their ancestors forgot^(F) my name through Baal worship.^{(G) 28} Let the prophet who has a dream^(H) recount the dream, but let the one who has my word^(I) speak it faithfully. For what has straw to do with grain?” declares the Lord. ²⁹ “Is not my word like fire,”^(J) declares the Lord, “and like a hammer^(K) that breaks a rock in pieces?

³⁰ “Therefore,” declares the Lord, “I am against^(L) the prophets^(M) 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.’^{(N) 32} Indeed, I am against those who prophesy false dreams,^(O)” declares the Lord. “They tell them and lead my people astray^(P) with their reckless lies,^(Q) yet I did not send^(R) or appoint them. They do not benefit^(S) these people in the least,” declares the Lord.

⁹ So do not listen to your prophets,^(A) your diviners,^(B) your interpreters of dreams,^(C) your mediums^(D) or your sorcerers^(E) who tell you, ‘You will not serve^(F) the king of Babylon.’