14 But the Lord said to me, “These prophets are prophesying a lie in my name. I did not send them, nor did I command them or speak to them. They are prophesying to you a false vision, worthless divination, the deceit(A) of their own minds.(B)

15 “Therefore, this is what the Lord says concerning the prophets who prophesy in my name, though I did not send them, and who say, ‘There will never be sword or famine in this land.’ By sword and famine these prophets will meet their end. 16 The people they are prophesying to will be thrown into the streets of Jerusalem because of the famine and the sword. There will be no one to bury them(C)—they, their wives, their sons, and their daughters. I will pour out their own evil on them.”

Jeremiah’s Request

17 You are to speak this word to them:
Let my eyes overflow with tears;
day and night may they not stop,(D)
for my dearest people[a]
have been destroyed by a crushing blow,(E)
an extremely severe wound.(F)
18 If I go out to the field,
look—those slain by the sword!
If I enter the city,
look—those ill(G) from famine!
For both prophet and priest
travel to a land they do not know.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 14:17 Lit for the virgin daughter of my people

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)’”

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Jeremiah 14:14 Or visions, worthless divinations