1And this word of the LORD came to me, 2“Son of man, prophesy against those prophets of Israel that now prophesy, and say to them that prophesy out of their own imaginations, ‘Hear the word of the LORD, 3“Thus says the LORD God: ‘Woe to those foolish prophets, that follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing! 4Your prophets, O Israel, are like jackals among ruins. 5You have not gone up into the breaches in the wall to repair them, so that they will stand up for the people of Israel in the battle on the day of the LORD. 6They have lied in reporting seeing divinations, and said, “The LORD says.” And the LORD has not sent them; and they have caused others to expect that God would confirm their lies. 7Have you not seen a false vision, and have you not spoken a lying divination, when you say, “The LORD says it”; although I have not spoken to you?’ 8Therefore, thus says the LORD God: ‘Because of your false words, and lying visions, I, the Sovereign God, am against you’, says the LORD God. 9‘And My hand shall be against the prophets that see false visions, and utter lying divinations; they shall not belong to the council of My people, nor shall they be listed in the records of Israel, nor shall they enter (return to) the land of Israel; then you shall know that I am the Sovereign God. 10Because, they have seduced My people, saying, “Peace”; and there was no peace; and when a flimsy wall is built up, they cover it with whitewash (un-tempered mortar); 11So tell them who cover structural flaws in the wall with whitewash, that it shall fall; the storms shall cause it to break and fall. 12And when the wall collapses, will the people not ask you, “Where is the daubing with which you have daubed it?” 13Therefore, thus says the LORD God: “I will break it with a violent storm in My fury; and in My anger bring great hailstones to destroy it. 14So will I break down the wall whose flaws you have covered with whitewash, and bring it down to the ground, so that its foundation is laid bare; it shall fall, and you shall be destroyed in its disintegration; and you shall know that I am the LORD. 15Thus I will vent My wrath upon the wall, and upon those that have covered its defects with whitewash, and I will say to you, ‘The wall is gone, as are those that had daubed it’; 16To wit, those prophets of Israel who prophesy concerning Jerusalem, and saw visions of peace for her, when there was no peace”, says the LORD God. ’”’ 17“Likewise, son of man, set your face against the daughters of your people, who prophesy out of their own imagination. Prophesy against them, 18And say, ‘Thus says the LORD God; “Woe to the women who sew amulets (magic charms) on their wrists, and make veils for the head of every person of stature to entice or ensnare the souls of My people! Will you ensnare the souls of My people that come to you, and will you save your own souls? 19And will you profane Me among My people for a few handfuls of barley and scraps of bread. By your lying to My people that hear your lies, you slay the souls that should not die, and save alive the souls that should not live, 20Therefore, thus says the LORD God: ‘Behold, I disapprove of your magic charms (amulets), with which you ensnare their souls like birds, and I will tear them (the charms) from your arms, and will set free the souls that you hunt like birds. 21I will also tear off your veils, and rescue My people out of your hand, and they shall not fall prey to your power; and you shall know that I am the LORD. 22Because you have discouraged the righteous with your lies, whom I do not wish to be made sad; and encouraged the wicked to continue in their evil ways, by promising them a prosperous life; 23Therefore, you shall see no more false visions, nor practice divinations; for I will deliver My people from you; and you shall know that I am the LORD.’”’” Reader-Friendly Bible: Purple Letter Edition © 2024 by Jim Musser. Used by Permission. All rights Reserved. Bible Hub |