⁶ Many will come in my name and say, ‘I am he!’^[a] and they will lead many astray.^(A)

²² False messiahs^[a] and false prophets will appear and produce signs and wonders, to lead astray, if possible, the elect.^(A)

Testing the Spirits

4 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.^(A)

³⁶ For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined him, but he was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and disappeared. ³⁷ After him Judas the Galilean rose up at the time of the census and got people to follow him; he also perished, and all who followed him were scattered. ³⁸ So in the present case, I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, because if this plan or this undertaking is of human origin, it will fail;^{(A) 39} but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them—in that case you may even be found fighting against God!”

They were convinced by him,^(B)

²⁴ I told you that you would die in your sins, for you will die in your sins unless you believe that I am he.”^[a](A)

⁴³ I have come in my Father’s name, and you do not accept me; if another comes in his own name, you will accept him.

²³ Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look! Here is the Messiah!’^[a] or ‘There he is!’—do not believe it.^{(A) 24} For false messiahs^[b] and false prophets will appear and produce great signs and wonders, to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.^(B)

¹¹ And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray.^(A)

⁵ For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Messiah!’^[a] and they will lead many astray.

²³ Am I a God near by, says the Lord, and not a God far off?^{(C) 24} Who can hide in secret places so that I cannot see them? says the Lord. Do I not fill heaven and earth? says the Lord.^{(D) 25} I have heard what the prophets have said who prophesy lies in my name, saying, “I have dreamed! I have dreamed!”^(E)