“My heart is broken because of the false prophets, and my bones tremble. I stagger like a drunkard, like someone overcome by wine, because of the holy words the Lord has spoken against them.
Even the priests and prophets are ungodly, wicked men. I have seen their despicable acts right here in My own Temple, says the Lord. Therefore, the paths they take will become slippery. They will be chased through the dark, and there they will fall. For I will bring disaster upon them at the time fixed for their punishment. I, the Lord, have spoken!
This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says to His people: Do not listen to these prophets when they prophesy to you, filling you with futile hopes. They are making up everything they say. They do not speak for the Lord! They keep saying to those who despise My word, ‘Don’t worry! The Lord says you will have peace!’ And to those who stubbornly follow their own desires, they say, ‘No harm will come your way!’
Have any of these prophets been in the Lord’s presence to hear what He is really saying? Has even one of them cared enough to listen? I have not sent these prophets, yet they run around claiming to speak for Me. I have given them no message, yet they go on prophesying.
If they had stood before Me and listened to Me, they would have spoken My words, and they would have turned My people from their evil ways and deeds.
I 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. How long will this go on? If they are prophets, they are prophets of deceit, inventing everything they say. By 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.
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!
Does not My word burn like fire?” says the Lord. “Is it not like a mighty hammer that smashes a rock to pieces?
Therefore, says the Lord, I am against these prophets who steal messages from each other and claim they are from Me. I am against these smooth-tongued prophets who say, ‘This prophecy is from the Lord!’ I 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!”
{Jeremiah 23:9, 11-12, 16-18, 21-22, 25-32}