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.

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25 “I have heard what the prophets who prophesy lies[a] have said in my name, saying,[b] ‘I have dreamed! I have dreamed!’ 26 How long[c] will this be in the hearts[d] of the prophets who prophesy lies,[e] even the prophets of the deceitfulness of their hearts,[f] 27 who plan to make my people forget my name by their dreams that they tell each one to his neighbor, just as their ancestors[g] forgot my name through Baal? 28 The prophet who has with him a dream, let him tell the dream. But the prophet[h] who has my word with him, let him speak my word faithfully. What is straw compared to wheat?”[i] declares[j] Yahweh. 29 Is not my word like fire?” declares[k] Yahweh, “and like a blacksmith’s hammer that breaks a rock into pieces?

30 Therefore[l] look, I am against the prophets,” declares[m] Yahweh, “who steal my words each one from his neighbor. 31 Look, I am against the prophets,” declares[n] Yahweh, “who take their tongues[o] and declare as prophets, ‘Yahweh declares.’[p] 32 Look, I am against those who prophesy dreams of lies,”[q] declares[r] Yahweh, “and tell them, and they caused my people to err through their lies, and in their recklessness, when I myself have not sent them nor commanded them, so they profit not this people at all,” declares[s] Yahweh.

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Footnotes

  1. Jeremiah 23:25 Hebrew “lie”
  2. Jeremiah 23:25 Literally “to say”
  3. Jeremiah 23:26 Literally “Until when”
  4. Jeremiah 23:26 Hebrew “heart”
  5. Jeremiah 23:26 Hebrew “the lie”
  6. Jeremiah 23:26 Hebrew “heart”
  7. Jeremiah 23:27 Or “fathers”
  8. Jeremiah 23:28 Here the subject is supplied from context in the English translation
  9. Jeremiah 23:28 Literally “What to the straw in comparison with the wheat”
  10. Jeremiah 23:28 Literally “a declaration of”
  11. Jeremiah 23:29 Literally “a declaration of”
  12. Jeremiah 23:30 Literally “To thus”
  13. Jeremiah 23:30 Literally “a declaration of”
  14. Jeremiah 23:31 Literally “a declaration of”
  15. Jeremiah 23:31 Hebrew “tongue”
  16. Jeremiah 23:31 Literally “a declaration of”
  17. Jeremiah 23:32 Hebrew “lie”
  18. Jeremiah 23:32 Literally “a declaration of”
  19. Jeremiah 23:32 Literally “a declaration of”