The Righteous Descendant

23 “What sorrow awaits the leaders of my people—the shepherds of my sheep—for they have destroyed and scattered the very ones they were expected to care for,” says the LORD. 2 Therefore, this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says to these shepherds: “Instead of caring for my flock and leading them to safety, you have deserted them and driven them to destruction. Now I will pour out judgment on you for the evil you have done to them. 3 But I will gather together the remnant of my flock from the countries where I have driven them. I will bring them back to their own sheepfold, and they will be fruitful and increase in number. 4 Then I will appoint responsible shepherds who will care for them, and they will never be afraid again. Not a single one will be lost or missing. I, the LORD, have spoken! 5 “For the time is coming,” He will do what is just and right throughout the land. 6 And this will be his name: and Israel will live in safety. 7 “In that day,” says the LORD, “when people are taking an oath, they will no longer say, ‘As surely as the LORD lives, who rescued the people of Israel from the land of Egypt.’ 8 Instead, they will say, ‘As surely as the LORD lives, who brought the people of Israel back to their own land from the land of the north and from all the countries to which he had exiled them.’ Then they will live in their own land.” 9 My heart is broken because of the false prophets, the LORD has spoken against them. 10 For the land is full of adultery, and abuse what power they have. 11 “Even the priests and prophets says the LORD. 12 “Therefore, the paths they take I, the LORD, have spoken! 13 “I saw that the prophets of Samaria were terribly evil, and led my people of Israel into sin. 14 But now I see that the prophets of Jerusalem are even worse! as the people of Sodom and Gomorrah once were.” 15 Therefore, this is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies says concerning the prophets: that wickedness has filled this land.” 16 This is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies says to his people: They do not speak for the LORD! 17 They keep saying to those who despise my word, they say, ‘No harm will come your way!’ 18 “Have any of these prophets been in the LORD’s presence Has even one of them cared enough to listen? 19 Look! The LORD’s anger bursts out like a storm, a whirlwind that swirls down on the heads of the wicked. 20 The anger of the LORD will not diminish you will understand all this very clearly. 21 “I have not sent these prophets, yet they go on prophesying. 22 If they had stood before me and listened to me, from their evil ways and deeds. 23 Am I a God who is only close at hand?” says the LORD. “No, I am far away at the same time. 24 Can anyone hide from me in a secret place? says the LORD. 25 “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. 26 How long will this go on? If they are prophets, they are prophets of deceit, inventing everything they say. 27 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. 28 “Let these false prophets tell their dreams, There is a difference between straw and grain! 29 Does not my word burn like fire?” that smashes a rock to pieces? 30 “Therefore,” says the LORD, “I am against these prophets who steal messages from each other and claim they are from me. 31 I am against these smooth-tongued prophets who say, ‘This prophecy is from the LORD!’ 32 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!

False Prophecies and False Prophets

33 “Suppose one of the people or one of the prophets or priests asks you, ‘What prophecy has the LORD burdened you with now?’ You must reply, ‘You are the burden! The LORD says he will abandon you!’ 34 “If any prophet, priest, or anyone else says, ‘I have a prophecy from the LORD,’ I will punish that person along with his entire family. 35 You should keep asking each other, ‘What is the LORD’s answer?’ or ‘What is the LORD saying?’ 36 But 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. 37 “This is what you should say to the prophets: ‘What is the LORD’s answer?’ or ‘What is the LORD saying?’ 38 But 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, 39 I will forget you completely. I will expel you from my presence, along with this city that I gave to you and your ancestors. 40 And I will make you an object of ridicule, and your name will be infamous throughout the ages.’”