Add parallel Print Page Options

25 “I have heard these prophets say, ‘Listen to the dream I had from God last night.’ And then they proceed to tell lies in my name. 26 How long will this go on? If they are prophets, they are prophets of deceit, inventing everything they say. 27 By telling these false dreams, they are trying to get my people to forget me, just as their ancestors did by worshiping the idols of Baal.

28 “Let these false prophets tell their dreams,
    but let my true messengers faithfully proclaim my every word.
    There is a difference between straw and grain!
29 Does not my word burn like fire?”
    says the Lord.
“Is it not like a mighty hammer
    that smashes a rock to pieces?

30 “Therefore,” says the Lord, “I am against these prophets who steal messages from each other and claim they are from me. 31 I am against these smooth-tongued prophets who say, ‘This prophecy is from the Lord!’ 32 I am against these false prophets. Their imaginary dreams are flagrant lies that lead my people into sin. I did not send or appoint them, and they have no message at all for my people. I, the Lord, have spoken!

Read full chapter

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.

Read full chapter

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”