22. If they had stood in my council,they would have proclaimedmy words to my people;they would have turned themfrom their evil ways and deeds.
23. The Lord declares, Am I a Godwho is only nearby and not far off?
24. Can people hide themselves in secret placesso I might not see them?Don’t I fill heaven and earth?
25. I have heard the prophets prophesying lies in my name. They claim, "I’ve had a dream; I’ve had a dream!"
26. How long will deceitful prophecies dominate the minds of the prophets? Those prophets are treacherous.
27. They scheme to make my people forget me by their dreams that people tell each other, just as their ancestors forgot me because of Baal.
28. Let the prophet who has a dream declare it, but let the one who has my word proclaim it faithfully.What a difference between straw and wheat!declares the Lord.
29. Isn’t my word like fireand like a hammer that shatters rock?declares the Lord.
30. Therefore, I’m against the prophetswho steal my words from each other,declares the Lord.
31. I’m against the prophetswho carelessly deliver oracles,declares the Lord.
32. I’m against the prophets who dream up liesand then proclaim them,declares the Lord.With their reckless lies,they lead my people astray.I didn’t send them;I didn’t commission them.They are completely useless to these people,declares the Lord.
33. When these people or a prophet or a priest asks you, "What is the Lord’s message?" say to them, "What message? I will cast you off, declares the Lord."
34. I will punish anyone, including prophet or priest, who says, "This is the Lord’s message."
35. This is what you should ask each other: "What has the Lord said?" "What has the Lord declared?"
36. But you are no longer to mention the Lord’s message, because everyone thinks they have received a message from the Lord. You destroy the very word of the living God, the Lord of heavenly forces, our God.