The Reproof of False Prophets
1 The word of the LORD came to me, saying, 2 “Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel who prophesy, and say to those who prophesy out of their own heart, ‘Hear the word of the LORD.’ 3 The Lord GOD says, ‘Woe to the foolish prophets, who follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing! 4 Israel, your prophets have been like foxes in the wastelands. 5 You have not gone up to the gaps or built up the wall for the house of Israel, to stand in battle in the day of the Lord.
6 They have seen falsehood and lying divination, who say: The LORD says, but the LORD has not sent them. They have made men hope that the word would be confirmed.
7 Have you not seen a false vision, and have you not spoken a lying divination, in that you say: The LORD says, but I have not spoken?
8 Therefore the Lord GOD says: Because you have spoken falsehood and seen lies, therefore, I am against you, says the Lord GOD. 9 My hand will be against the prophets who see false visions and who utter lying divination. They will not be in the council of my people, nor will they be written in the writing of the house of Israel, nor will they enter into the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am the Lord GOD.
10 They have seduced my people, saying, ‘Peace,’ when there is no peace. When one builds up a wall, they plaster it with whitewash. 11 Tell those who plaster it with whitewash that it will fall. There will be an overflowing rainstorm, and great hailstones will fall. A wind storm will tear it down. 12 When the wall has fallen, will you not be asked: Where is the whitewash with which you plastered it?
13 Therefore the Lord GOD says: In my wrath I will tear it down with a wind storm. There will be an overflowing rainstorm in my anger and great hailstones in wrath to consume it. 14 So I will break down the wall that you have plastered with whitewash and bring it down to the ground, so that its foundation will be uncovered. It will fall, and you will be consumed in the midst of it. Then you will know that I am the LORD.
15 Thus when I have fulfilled my wrath on the wall, and on those who have plastered it with whitewash, I will tell you: The wall is no more, nor are those who plastered it, 16 that is, the prophets of Israel who prophesy concerning Jerusalem and who see visions of peace for her when there is no peace, declares the Lord GOD.’ ”
False Female Prophets
17 “You, son of man, set your face against the daughters of your people, who prophesy out of their own heart, and prophesy against them, 18 and tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says, ‘Woe to the women who sew magic charms on their sleeves and make veils for the heads of people of every stature to ensnare them! Will you hunt my people and save them for yourselves? 19 You have profaned me among my people for handfuls of barley and for pieces of bread, to kill those who should not die, and to save people who should not live, by your lying to my people who listen to lies.
20 Therefore the Lord GOD says: I am against your magic charms, with which you ensnare people like birds, and I will tear them from your arms. I will let them go, those whom you hunt and ensnare. 21 I will also tear your veils and deliver my people from your hand, and they will no longer be in your hand to be hunted. Then you will know that I am the LORD. 22 Because with lies you have grieved the heart of the righteous, whom I have not made sad, and strengthened the hands of the wicked, that he should not return from his wicked ways and be saved. 23 Therefore you shall no longer see false visions, nor practice divination. I will deliver my people from your hand. Then you will know that I am the LORD.’ ”