14 Then the Lord said to me, “The prophets are prophesying lies(A) in my name. I have not sent(B) them or appointed them or spoken to them. They are prophesying to you false visions,(C) divinations,(D) idolatries[a] and the delusions of their own minds. 15 Therefore this is what the Lord says about the prophets who are prophesying in my name: I did not send them, yet they are saying, ‘No sword or famine will touch this land.’ Those same prophets will perish(E) by sword and famine.(F) 16 And the people they are prophesying to will be thrown out into the streets of Jerusalem because of the famine and sword. There will be no one to bury(G) them, their wives, their sons and their daughters.(H) I will pour out on them the calamity they deserve.(I)

17 “Speak this word to them:

“‘Let my eyes overflow with tears(J)
    night and day without ceasing;
for the Virgin(K) Daughter, my people,
    has suffered a grievous wound,
    a crushing blow.(L)
18 If I go into the country,
    I see those slain by the sword;
if I go into the city,
    I see the ravages of famine.(M)
Both prophet and priest
    have gone to a land they know not.(N)’”

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Footnotes

  1. Jeremiah 14:14 Or visions, worthless divinations

14 And the Lord said to me: “The prophets are prophesying lies in my name; I did not send them, nor did I command them or speak to them. They are prophesying to you a lying vision, worthless divination, and the deceit of their own minds.(A) 15 Therefore thus says the Lord concerning the prophets who prophesy in my name though I did not send them and who say, ‘Sword and famine shall not come on this land’: By sword and famine those prophets shall be consumed.(B) 16 And the people to whom they prophesy shall be thrown out into the streets of Jerusalem, victims of famine and sword. There shall be no one to bury them—themselves, their wives, their sons, and their daughters—for I will pour out their wickedness upon them.”(C)

17 You shall say to them this word:
Let my eyes run down with tears night and day,
    and let them not cease,
for the virgin daughter of my people is struck down with a crushing blow,
    with a very grievous wound.(D)
18 If I go out into the field,
    look—those killed by the sword!
And if I enter the city,
    look—those sick with[a] famine!
For both prophet and priest ply their trade throughout the land
    and have no knowledge.(E)

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Footnotes

  1. 14.18 Heb look—the sicknesses of