Jeremiah 23

All 40 verses in the Clear Bible Translation. Tap a verse to compare the KJV and read what it means.

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1. 1Woe to the pastors who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! declares the LORD.
2. 2So the LORD, the God of Israel, says this against the pastors who tend my people: "You have scattered my flock, driven them away, and have not cared for them. Now watch — I'm going to punish you for the evil things you've done," declares the LORD.
3. 3I will gather the remnant of my flock from all the countries where I have driven them, and I will bring them back to their folds; they will be fruitful and increase.
4. 4I will appoint shepherds over them who will feed them. They will no longer be afraid or dismayed, and none will be missing," declares the LORD.
5. 5"Look, the days are coming," says the LORD, "when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and a King will reign and prosper, and will carry out judgment and justice in the earth."
6. 6During his reign, Judah will be rescued and Israel will live in safety. This is the name he will be known by: THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS."
7. 7"So the days are coming," declares the LORD, "when people will no longer say, 'As surely as the LORD lives, who brought the people of Israel out of Egypt.'
8. 8Instead they'll say, 'As surely as the LORD lives, who brought the descendants of Israel back from the northern lands and from every country where he had scattered them.' Then they'll live in their own land again."
9. 9About the prophets — my heart is shattered inside me. Every bone in my body trembles. I stagger like a drunk, like someone overpowered by wine, because of the LORD and because of his holy words.
10. 10The land is full of adulterers; because of swearing, the land mourns, and the pleasant places of the wilderness are dried up. Their course is evil, and their force is not right.
11. 11"Both prophet and priest are corrupt. I've even found their wickedness right here in my own temple," declares the LORD.
12. 12"So their path will become slippery ground in the dark. They'll be shoved forward and fall flat. I'm going to bring disaster on them when the time comes for their punishment," declares the LORD.
13. 13Among the prophets of Samaria, I saw folly; they prophesied in Baal's name and led my people Israel astray.
14. 14But among the prophets of Jerusalem I've seen something even more horrifying: they commit adultery and live by lies. They encourage evildoers so that no one turns away from their wickedness. To me, they've all become like Sodom, and the people of Jerusalem like Gomorrah."
15. 15So the LORD of Armies says this about those prophets: "Watch — I'm going to feed them wormwood and make them drink poisoned water, because the prophets of Jerusalem have spread corruption throughout the entire land."
16. 16The LORD of Armies says: "Don't listen to what these prophets are telling you. They're filling you with empty hopes. They speak visions from their own imagination, not from the mouth of the LORD.
17. 17They keep telling those who despise me, 'The LORD says you will have peace.' And to everyone who follows the imagination of their own heart, they say, 'No evil will come upon you.'
18. 18But which of them has ever stood in the LORD's council to see and hear his word? Which of them has actually paid attention to his word and listened?
19. 19Look — the LORD's storm has been unleashed in fury! A raging whirlwind will crash down on the heads of the wicked.
20. 20The LORD's anger won't turn back until he has fully carried out every intention of his heart. In the days to come, you'll understand this completely.
21. 21I never sent these prophets, yet they ran with their messages. I never spoke to them, yet they prophesied anyway.
22. 22If they had truly stood in my council, they would have proclaimed my words to my people and turned them from their evil ways and wicked actions."
23. 23"Am I only a God who is nearby," declares the LORD, "and not a God who is far away as well?
24. 24Can anyone hide in some secret place where I can't see them?" declares the LORD. "Don't I fill all of heaven and earth?" declares the LORD.
25. 25"I've heard what these prophets are saying — the ones who prophesy lies in my name, claiming, 'I had a dream! I had a dream!'
26. 26How long will this go on? How long will these prophets keep pushing the lies that come from their own deceiving hearts?
27. 27They think their dreams, which they eagerly share with each other, will make my people forget my name — just like their ancestors forgot my name because of Baal.
28. 28Let the prophet who has a dream go ahead and tell his dream. But the one who has my word must speak my word faithfully. What does straw have in common with wheat?" declares the LORD.
29. 29"Isn't my word like fire?" declares the LORD. "Isn't it like a hammer that shatters rock into pieces?
30. 30"So pay attention — I am against these prophets," declares the LORD, "who steal my words from one another.
31. 31I am against these prophets," declares the LORD, "who wag their own tongues and then announce, 'The LORD declares.'
32. 32"Look, I am against those who prophesy false dreams," says the LORD, "and tell them, and cause my people to go astray by their lies and by their recklessness. I did not send them or command them. Therefore they will not benefit this people at all," says the LORD.
33. 33When the people, a prophet, or a priest ask you, "What is the burden of the LORD?" answer them, "What burden? I will abandon you," says the LORD.
34. 34As for any prophet, priest, or ordinary person who says, 'I have a message from the LORD,' I will punish that person and their entire household.
35. 35Instead, this is what you should ask each other: 'What has the LORD answered?' and 'What has the LORD said?'
36. 36And you shall no longer mention 'the burden of the LORD,' for every man's word shall be his burden; for you have twisted the words of the living God, the LORD of hosts, our God.
37. 37This is how you should speak to a prophet: 'What has the LORD answered you?' and 'What has the LORD said?'
38. 38But if you keep saying, 'This is a message from the LORD' — then the LORD says this: Because you keep using the phrase 'a message from the LORD' even though I sent word telling you to stop saying it,
39. 39I myself will completely forget you and abandon you, along with the city I gave to you and your ancestors, and cast you out of my presence.
40. 40I will bring everlasting disgrace on you and permanent shame that will never be forgotten."