⁷ For ^(A)what great nation is there that has a god ^(B)so near to it as is the Lord our God ^(C)whenever we call on Him?

²⁵ “I have ^(D)heard what the prophets have said who ^(E)prophesy falsely in My name, saying, ‘I had a ^(F)dream, I had a dream!’ ²⁶ How long? Is there anything in the hearts of the prophets who prophesy falsehood, even these prophets of the ^(G)deception of their own heart, ²⁷ who intend to ^(H)make My people forget My name by their dreams which they relate to one another, just as their fathers ^(I)forgot My name because of Baal? ²⁸ The prophet who has a dream may relate his dream, but let him who has ^(J)My word speak My word in truth. ^(K)What does straw have in common with grain?” declares the Lord. ²⁹ “Is not My word like ^(L)fire?” declares the Lord, “and like a ^(M)hammer which shatters a rock? ³⁰ Therefore behold, ^(N)I am against the prophets,” declares the Lord, “who steal My words from each other. ³¹ Behold, I am against the prophets,” declares the Lord, “who use their tongues and declare, ‘The Lord declares.’ ³² Behold, I am against those who have prophesied ^(O)false dreams,” declares the Lord, “and related them and led My people astray by their falsehoods and ^(P)reckless boasting; yet ^(Q)I did not send them or command them, nor do they ^(R)furnish this people the slightest benefit,” declares the Lord.

³³ “Now when this people or the prophet or a priest asks you saying, ‘What is the ^[a](S)oracle of the Lord?’ then you shall say to them, ‘What ^[b]oracle?’ The Lord declares, ‘I will ^(T)abandon you.’ ³⁴ Then as for the prophet or the priest or the people who say, ‘The ^(U)oracle of the Lord,’ I will bring punishment upon that man and his household. ³⁵ Thus will each of you say to his neighbor and to his brother, ‘^(V)What has the Lord answered?’ or, ‘What has the Lord spoken?’ ³⁶ For you will no longer remember the oracle of the Lord, because every man’s own word will become the oracle, and you have ^(W)perverted the words of the ^(X)living God, the Lord of hosts, our God. ³⁷ Thus you will say to that prophet, ‘What has the Lord answered you?’ and, ‘What has the Lord spoken?’ ³⁸ For if you say, ‘The oracle of the Lord!’ surely thus says the Lord, ‘Because you said this word, “The oracle of the Lord!” I have also sent to you, saying, “You shall not say, ‘The oracle of the Lord!’”’ ³⁹ Therefore behold, ^(Y)I will surely forget you and cast you away from My presence, along with the city which I gave you and your fathers. ⁴⁰ I will put an everlasting ^(Z)reproach on you and an everlasting humiliation which will not be forgotten.”

¹⁷ and yet ^(A)He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good and ^(B)gave you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, ^[a]satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.”