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14 Then the Lord said, “These prophets are telling lies in my name. I did not send them or tell them to speak. I did not give them any messages. They prophesy of visions and revelations they have never seen or heard. They speak foolishness made up in their own lying hearts. 15 Therefore, this is what the Lord says: I will punish these lying prophets, for they have spoken in my name even though I never sent them. They say that no war or famine will come, but they themselves will die by war and famine! 16 As for the people to whom they prophesy—their bodies will be thrown out into the streets of Jerusalem, victims of famine and war. There will be no one left to bury them. Husbands, wives, sons, and daughters—all will be gone. For I will pour out their own wickedness on them. 17 Now, Jeremiah, say this to them:

“Night and day my eyes overflow with tears.
    I cannot stop weeping,
for my virgin daughter—my precious people—
    has been struck down
    and lies mortally wounded.
18 If I go out into the fields,
    I see the bodies of people slaughtered by the enemy.
If I walk the city streets,
    I see people who have died of starvation.
The prophets and priests continue with their work,
    but they don’t know what they’re doing.”

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14 Then the Lord told me, “The prophets are prophesying lies[a] in my name. I didn’t send them, I didn’t command them, and I didn’t speak to them. They’re proclaiming[b] to you false visions, worthless predictions,[c] and the delusions of their own minds. 15 Therefore, this is what the Lord says about the false prophets who prophesy in my name, ‘There will be no sword and famine in this land’ (though I haven’t sent them): ‘By the sword and by famine these prophets will be finished off! 16 The people to whom they have prophesied will be thrown out into the streets of Jerusalem because of the famine and the sword. There will be no one to bury them, their wives, their sons, or their daughters. I’ll pour out on them the[d] judgment they deserve.’”[e]

17 “And deliver[f] this message to them:

‘Let tears run down my face,[g]
    night and day, and don’t let them stop,
because my virgin daughter—my people—
    will be broken with a powerful blow,
        with a severe wound.
18 If I go out into the field,
    I see those slain by the sword!
If I go into the city,
    I see the ravages of the famine!
Indeed, both prophet and priest
    ply their trade in the land,
        but they don’t know anything.’”[h]

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Footnotes

  1. Jeremiah 14:14 Or deception
  2. Jeremiah 14:14 Lit. prophesying
  3. Jeremiah 14:14 or divination
  4. Jeremiah 14:16 Lit. their
  5. Jeremiah 14:16 The Heb. lacks they deserve
  6. Jeremiah 14:17 Lit. speak
  7. Jeremiah 14:17 Lit. Let my eyes run down with tears
  8. Jeremiah 14:18 The Heb. lacks anything