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31 Look, I’m against the prophets,” declares the Lord, “who use their tongues to issue a declaration.[a] 32 Look, I’m against those who prophesy based on false dreams,” declares the Lord, “and relate them and lead my people astray with their lies and their recklessness. I didn’t send them; I didn’t command them, and they provide no benefit at all to these people,” declares the Lord.

The Oracle-Burden[b] of the Lord

33 “Jeremiah,[c] when these people, the prophet, or a priest ask you,[d] ‘What is the oracle[e] of the Lord?’ say to them, ‘You are the burden,[f] and I’ll cast you out,’” declares the Lord.

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Footnotes

  1. Jeremiah 23:31 I.e. a message that they claim came from God
  2. Jeremiah 23:33 An oracle is a message that claims to be a revelation from the Lord. The same Heb. word means both oracle and burden, and this entire section invokes a word play between the two meanings of this Heb. word.
  3. Jeremiah 23:33 The Heb. lacks Jeremiah
  4. Jeremiah 23:33 I.e. the prophet Jeremiah; MT is masculine sing.
  5. Jeremiah 23:33 Or burden
  6. Jeremiah 23:33 Or oracle; MT reads What oracle?

31 Yes,” declares the Lord, “I am against the prophets who wag their own tongues and yet declare, ‘The Lord declares.’(A) 32 Indeed, I am against those who prophesy false dreams,(B)” declares the Lord. “They tell them and lead my people astray(C) with their reckless lies,(D) yet I did not send(E) or appoint them. They do not benefit(F) these people in the least,” declares the Lord.

False Prophecy

33 “When these people, or a prophet or a priest, ask you, ‘What is the message(G) from the Lord?’ say to them, ‘What message? I will forsake(H) you, declares the Lord.’

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