¹⁰ “‘Because they lead my people astray,^(A) saying, “Peace,”^(B) when there is no peace, and because, when a flimsy wall is built, they cover it with whitewash,^(C)

¹³ But I said, “Alas, Sovereign Lord! The prophets^(A) keep telling them, ‘You will not see the sword or suffer famine.^(B) Indeed, I will give you lasting peace^(C) in this place.’”

¹⁰ Then I said, “Alas, Sovereign Lord! How completely you have deceived^(A) this people and Jerusalem by saying, ‘You will have peace,’^(B) when the sword is at our throats!”

¹⁸ For they mouth empty, boastful words^(A) and, by appealing to the lustful desires of the flesh, they entice people who are just escaping^(B) from those who live in error. ¹⁹ They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity—for “people are slaves to whatever has mastered them.”^(C)

False Teachers and Their Destruction

2 But there were also false prophets^(A) among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you.^(B) They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord^(C) who bought them^(D)—bringing swift destruction on themselves.