Jeremiah 23:23-40
New American Standard Bible
Chapter 23
23'Am I a God who is near,' declares the Lord, 'And not a God far off? 24Can a person hide himself in hiding places So that I do not see him?' declares the Lord. 'Do I not fill the heavens and the earth?' declares the Lord.
25I have heard what the prophets have said who prophesy falsely in My name, saying, ‘I had a dream, I had a dream!’
26How long? Is there anything in the hearts of the prophets who prophesy falsehood, these prophets of the deceitfulness of their own heart,
27who intend to make My people forget My name by their dreams which they report to one another, just as their fathers forgot My name because of Baal?
28The prophet who has a dream may report his dream, but let him who has My word speak My word truthfully. What does straw have in common with grain?' declares the Lord.
29Is My word not like fire?' declares the Lord, 'and like a hammer which shatters a rock?
30Therefore behold, I am against the prophets,' declares the Lord, 'who steal My words from each other.
31Behold, I am against the prophets,' declares the Lord, 'who use their tongues and declare, ‘ The Lord declares!’
32Behold, I am against those who have prophesied false dreams,' declares the Lord, 'and reported them and led My people astray by their lies and reckless boasting; yet I did not send them nor command them, nor do they provide this people the slightest benefit,' declares the Lord.
33Now when this people or the prophet or a priest asks you, saying, ‘What is the pronouncement of the Lord?’ then you shall say to them, ‘What pronouncement?’ The Lord declares, ‘I will abandon you.’
34Then as for the prophet or the priest or the people who say, ‘The pronouncement of the Lord,’ I will bring punishment upon that person and his household.
35This is what each one of you will say to his neighbor and to his brother: ‘What has the Lord answered?’ or, ‘What has the Lord spoken?’
36For you will no longer remember the pronouncement of the Lord, because every person’s own word will become the pronouncement, and you have perverted the words of the living God, the Lord of armies, our God.
37This is what you will say to that prophet: ‘What has the Lord answered you?’ and, ‘What has the Lord spoken?’
38And if you say, ‘The pronouncement of the Lord!’ for that reason the Lord says this: ‘Because you said this word, 'The pronouncement of the Lord!' I have also sent word to you, saying, 'You shall not say, ‘The pronouncement of the Lord!’?'?’
39Therefore behold, I will certainly forget you and thrust you away from My presence, along with the city which I gave you and your fathers.
40I will put an everlasting disgrace on you and an everlasting humiliation which will not be forgotten.'
King James Version
24Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the Lord. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the Lord.
25I have heard what the prophets said, that prophesy lies in my name, saying, I have dreamed, I have dreamed.
26How long shall this be in the heart of the prophets that prophesy lies? yea, they are prophets of the deceit of their own heart;
27Which think to cause my people to forget my name by their dreams which they tell every man to his neighbour, as their fathers have forgotten my name for Baal.
28The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream; and he that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully. What is the chaff to the wheat? saith the Lord.
29Is not my word like as a fire? saith the Lord; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?
30Therefore, behold, I am against the prophets, saith the Lord, that steal my words every one from his neighbour.
31Behold, I am against the prophets, saith the Lord, that use their tongues, and say, He saith.
32Behold, I am against them that prophesy false dreams, saith the Lord, and do tell them, and cause my people to err by their lies, and by their lightness; yet I sent them not, nor commanded them: therefore they shall not profit this people at all, saith the Lord.
33And when this people, or the prophet, or a priest, shall ask thee, saying, What is the burden of the Lord? thou shalt then say unto them, What burden? I will even forsake you, saith the Lord.
34And as for the prophet, and the priest, and the people, that shall say, The burden of the Lord, I will even punish that man and his house.
35Thus shall ye say every one to his neighbour, and every one to his brother, What hath the Lord answered? and, What hath the Lord spoken?
36And the burden of the Lord shall ye mention no more: for every man's word shall be his burden; for ye have perverted the words of the living God, of the Lord of hosts our God.
37Thus shalt thou say to the prophet, What hath the Lord answered thee? and, What hath the Lord spoken?
38But since ye say, The burden of the Lord; therefore thus saith the Lord; Because ye say this word, The burden of the Lord, and I have sent unto you, saying, Ye shall not say, The burden of the Lord;
39Therefore, behold, I, even I, will utterly forget you, and I will forsake you, and the city that I gave you and your fathers, and cast you out of my presence:
40And I will bring an everlasting reproach upon you, and a perpetual shame, which shall not be forgotten.
Christian Standard Bible
Chapter 23
23"Am I a God who is only near" —this is the Lord’s declaration—"and not a God who is far away? 24Can a person hide in secret places where I cannot see him?" —the Lord’s declaration. "Do I not fill the heavens and the earth?" —the Lord’s declaration.
25"I have heard what the prophets who prophesy a lie in my name have said: ‘I had a dream! I had a dream!’
26How long will this continue in the minds of the prophets prophesying lies, prophets of the deceit of their own minds?
27Through their dreams that they tell one another, they plan to cause my people to forget my name as their fathers forgot my name through Baal worship.
28The prophet who has only a dream should recount the dream, but the one who has my word should speak my word truthfully, for what is straw compared to grain?"—this is the Lord’s declaration.
29"Is not my word like fire"—this is the Lord’s declaration—"and like a hammer that pulverizes rock?
30Therefore, take note! I am against the prophets" —the Lord’s declaration—"who steal my words from each other.
31I am against the prophets"—the Lord’s declaration—"who use their own tongues to make a declaration.
32I am against those who prophesy false dreams" —the Lord’s declaration—"telling them and leading my people astray with their reckless lies. It was not I who sent or commanded them, and they are of no benefit at all to these people"—this is the Lord’s declaration.
33"Now when these people or a prophet or a priest asks you, ‘What is the burden of the Lord?’ you will respond to them, ‘What is the burden? I will throw you away! This is the Lord’s declaration.’
34As for the prophet, priest, or people who say, ‘The burden of the Lord,’ I will punish that man and his household.
35This is what each man is to say to his friend and to his brother: ‘What has the Lord answered?’ or ‘What has the Lord spoken?’
36But no longer refer to the burden of the Lord, for each man’s word becomes his burden and you pervert the words of the living God, the Lord of Armies, our God.
37Say to the prophet, ‘What has the Lord answered you?’ or ‘What has the Lord spoken?’
38But if you say, ‘The burden of the Lord,’ then this is what the Lord says: Because you have said, ‘The burden of the Lord,’ and I specifically told you not to say, ‘The burden of the Lord,’
39I will surely forget you. I will throw you away from my presence—both you and the city that I gave you and your fathers.
40I will bring on you everlasting disgrace and humiliation that will never be forgotten."
New Living Translation
Chapter 23
23Am I a God who is only close at hand?' says the Lord. 'No, I am far away at the same time. 24Can anyone hide from me in a secret place? Am I not everywhere in all the heavens and earth?' says the Lord.
25I 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.
26How long will this go on? If they are prophets, they are prophets of deceit, inventing everything they say.
27By 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!
29Does not my word burn like fire?' says the Lord. 'Is it not like a mighty hammer that smashes a rock to pieces?
30Therefore,' says the Lord, 'I am against these prophets who steal messages from each other and claim they are from me.
31I am against these smooth-tongued prophets who say, ‘This prophecy is from the Lord!’
32I 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!
34If any prophet, priest, or anyone else says, ‘I have a prophecy from the Lord,’ I will punish that person along with his entire family.
35You should keep asking each other, ‘What is the Lord’s answer?’ or ‘What is the Lord saying?’
36But stop using this phrase, ‘prophecy from the Lord.’ For people are using it to give authority to their own ideas, turning upside down the words of our God, the living God, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.
37This is what you should say to the prophets: ‘What is the Lord’s answer?’ or ‘What is the Lord saying?’
38But suppose they respond, ‘This is a prophecy from the Lord!’ Then you should say, ‘This is what the Lord says: Because you have used this phrase, 'prophecy from the Lord,' even though I warned you not to use it,
39I will forget you completely. I will expel you from my presence, along with this city that I gave to you and your ancestors.
40And I will make you an object of ridicule, and your name will be infamous throughout the ages.’'
English Standard Version
Chapter 23
23"Am I a God at hand, declares the Lord, and not a God far away? 24Can a man hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him? declares the Lord. Do I not fill heaven and earth? declares the Lord. 25I have heard what the prophets have said who prophesy lies in my name, saying, ‘I have dreamed, I have dreamed!’ 26How long shall there be lies in the heart of the prophets who prophesy lies, and who prophesy the deceit of their own heart, 27who think to make my people forget my name by their dreams that they tell one another, even as their fathers forgot my name for Baal? 28Let the prophet who has a dream tell the dream, but let him who has my word speak my word faithfully. What has straw in common with wheat? declares the Lord. 29Is not my word like fire, declares the Lord, and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces? 30Therefore, behold, I am against the prophets, declares the Lord, who steal my words from one another. 31Behold, I am against the prophets, declares the Lord, who use their tongues and declare, ‘declares the Lord.’ 32Behold, I am against those who prophesy lying dreams, declares the Lord, and who tell them and lead my people astray by their lies and their recklessness, when I did not send them or charge them. So they do not profit this people at all, declares the Lord.
33"When one of this people, or a prophet or a priest asks you, ‘What is the burden of the Lord?’ you shall say to them, ‘You are the burden, and I will cast you off, declares the Lord.’
34And as for the prophet, priest, or one of the people who says, ‘The burden of the Lord,’ I will punish that man and his household.
35Thus shall you say, every one to his neighbor and every one to his brother, ‘What has the Lord answered?’ or ‘What has the Lord spoken?’
36But ‘the burden of the Lord’ you shall mention no more, for the burden is every man 's own word, and you pervert the words of the living God, the Lord of hosts, our God.
37Thus you shall say to the prophet, ‘What has the Lord answered you?’ or ‘What has the Lord spoken?’
38But if you say, ‘The burden of the Lord,’ thus says the Lord, ‘Because you have said these words, "The burden of the Lord," when I sent to you, saying, "You shall not say, ‘The burden of the Lord,’"
39therefore, behold, I will surely lift you up and cast you away from my presence, you and the city that I gave to you and your fathers.
40And I will bring upon you everlasting reproach and perpetual shame, which shall not be forgotten.’"
New International Version
Chapter 23
23"Am I only a God nearby," declares the Lord, "and not a God far away? 24Who can hide in secret places so that I cannot see them?" declares the Lord. "Do not I fill heaven and earth?" declares the Lord.
25"I have heard what the prophets say who prophesy lies in my name. They say, ‘I had a dream! I had a dream!’
26How long will this continue in the hearts of these lying prophets, who prophesy the delusions of their own minds?
27They think the dreams they tell one another will make my people forget my name, just as their ancestors forgot my name through Baal worship.
28Let the prophet who has a dream recount the dream, but let the one who has my word speak it faithfully. For what has straw to do with grain?" declares the Lord.
29"Is not my word like fire," declares the Lord, "and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?
30"Therefore," declares the Lord, "I am against the prophets who steal from one another words supposedly from me.
31Yes," declares the Lord, "I am against the prophets who wag their own tongues and yet declare, ‘The Lord declares.’
32Indeed, I am against those who prophesy false dreams," declares the Lord. "They tell them and lead my people astray with their reckless lies, yet I did not send or appoint them. They do not benefit these people in the least," declares the Lord.
33"When these people, or a prophet or a priest, ask you, ‘What is the message from the Lord?’ say to them, ‘What message? I will forsake you, declares the Lord.’
34If a prophet or a priest or anyone else claims, ‘This is a message from the Lord,’ I will punish them and their household.
35This is what each of you keeps saying to your friends and other Israelites: ‘What is the Lord’s answer?’ or ‘What has the Lord spoken?’
36But you must not mention ‘a message from the Lord’ again, because each one’s word becomes their own message. So you distort the words of the living God, the Lord Almighty, our God.
37This is what you keep saying to a prophet: ‘What is the Lord’s answer to you?’ or ‘What has the Lord spoken?’
38Although you claim, ‘This is a message from the Lord,’ this is what the Lord says: You used the words, ‘This is a message from the Lord,’ even though I told you that you must not claim, ‘This is a message from the Lord.’
39Therefore, I will surely forget you and cast you out of my presence along with the city I gave to you and your ancestors.
40I will bring on you everlasting disgrace—everlasting shame that will not be forgotten."
New King James Version
Chapter 23
23“ Am I a God near at hand,” says the Lord, “And not a God afar off? 24Can anyone hide himself in secret places, So I shall not see him?” says the Lord; “Do I not fill heaven and earth?” says the Lord.
25“I have heard what the prophets have said who prophesy lies in My name, saying, ‘I have dreamed, I have dreamed!’
26How long will this be in the heart of the prophets who prophesy lies? Indeed they are prophets of the deceit of their own heart,
27who try to make My people forget My name by their dreams which everyone tells his neighbor, as their fathers forgot My name for Baal.
28“The prophet who has a dream, let him tell a dream; And he who has My word, let him speak My word faithfully. What is the chaff to the wheat?” says the Lord.
29“ Is not My word like a fire?” says the Lord, “And like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?
30“Therefore behold, I am against the prophets,” says the Lord, “who steal My words every one from his neighbor.
31Behold, I am against the prophets,” says the Lord, “who use their tongues and say, ‘He says.’
32Behold, I am against those who prophesy false dreams,” says the Lord, “and tell them, and cause My people to err by their lies and by their recklessness. Yet I did not send them or command them; therefore they shall not profit this people at all,” says the Lord.
33“So when these people or the prophet or the priest ask you, saying, ‘What is the oracle of the Lord?’ you shall then say to them, ‘What oracle?’ I will even forsake you,” says the Lord.
34“And as for the prophet and the priest and the people who say, ‘The oracle of the Lord!’ I will even punish that man and his house.
35Thus every one of you shall say to his neighbor, and every one to his brother, ‘What has the Lord answered?’ and, ‘What has the Lord spoken?’
36And the oracle of the Lord you shall mention no more. For every man’s word will be his oracle, for you have perverted the words of the living God, the Lord of hosts, our God.
37Thus you shall say to the prophet, ‘What has the Lord answered you?’ and, ‘What has the Lord spoken?’
38But since you say, ‘The oracle of the Lord!’ therefore thus says the Lord: ‘Because you say this word, “The oracle of the Lord!” and I have sent to you, saying, “Do not say, ‘The oracle of the Lord!’ ”
39therefore behold, I, even I, will utterly forget you and forsake you, and the city that I gave you and your fathers, and will cast you out of My presence.
40And I will bring an everlasting reproach upon you, and a perpetual shame, which shall not be forgotten.’ ”
