Ezekiel 13

New King James Version

Woe to Foolish Prophets

13 And the word of theLordcame to me, saying,² “Son of man, prophesy^(A)against the prophets of Israel who prophesy, and say to^(B)those who prophesy out of their own^(C)heart,^[a]‘Hear the word of theLord!’ ”

³ Thus says the LordGod: “Woe to the foolish prophets, who follow their own spirit and have seen^[b]nothing!⁴ O Israel, your prophets are^(D)like foxes in the deserts.⁵ You^(E)have not gone up into the^[c]gaps to build a wall for the house of Israel to stand in battle on the day of theLord.^6 (F)They have envisioned futility and false divination, saying, ‘Thus says theLord!’ But theLordhas^(G)not sent them; yet they hope that the word may^[d]be confirmed.⁷ Have you not seen a futile vision, and have you not spoken false divination? You say, ‘TheLordsays,’ but I have not spoken.”

⁸ Therefore thus says the LordGod: “Because you have spoken nonsense and envisioned lies, therefore Iamindeed against you,” says the LordGod.⁹ “My hand will be^(H)against the prophets who envision futility and who^(I)divine lies; they shall not be in the assembly of My people,^(J)nor be written in the record of the house of Israel,^(K)nor shall they enter into the land of Israel.^(L)Then you shall know that Iamthe LordGod.

¹⁰ “Because, indeed, because they have seduced My people, saying,^(M)‘Peace!’ whenthere isno peace—and one builds a wall, and they^(N)plaster^[e]it with untemperedmortar—¹¹ say to those who plasteritwith untemperedmortar,that it will fall.^(O)There will be flooding rain, and you, O great hailstones, shall fall; and a stormy wind shall tearitdown.¹² Surely, when the wall has fallen, will it not be said to you, ‘Whereisthe mortar with which you plasteredit?’ ”

¹³ Therefore thus says the LordGod: “I will cause a stormy wind to break forth in My fury; and there shall be a flooding rain in My anger, and great hailstones in fury to consumeit.¹⁴ So I will break down the wall you have plastered with untemperedmortar,and bring it down to the ground, so that its foundation will be uncovered; it will fall, and you shall be consumed in the midst of it.^(P)Then you shall know that IamtheLord.

¹⁵ “Thus will I accomplish My wrath on the wall and on those who have plastered it with untemperedmortar;and I will say to you, ‘The wallisnomore,nor those who plastered it,¹⁶ that is,the prophets of Israel who prophesy concerning Jerusalem, and who^(Q)see visions of peace for her whenthere isno peace,’ ” says the LordGod.

¹⁷ “Likewise, son of man,^(R)set your face against the daughters of your people,^(S)who prophesy out of their own^[f]heart; prophesy against them,¹⁸ and say, ‘Thus says the LordGod: “Woe to thewomenwho sewmagiccharms^[g]on their sleeves and make veils for the heads of people of every height to hunt souls! Will you^(T)hunt the souls of My people, and keep yourselves alive?¹⁹ And will you profane Me among My people^(U)for handfuls of barley and for pieces of bread, killing people who should not die, and keeping people alive who should not live, by your lying to My people who listen to lies?”

²⁰ ‘Therefore thus says the LordGod: “Behold, Iamagainst yourmagiccharms by which you hunt souls there like^[h]birds. I will tear them from your arms, and let the souls go, the souls you hunt like birds.²¹ I will also tear off your veils and deliver My people out of your hand, and they shall no longer be as prey in your hand.^(V)Then you shall know that IamtheLord.

²² “Because with^(W)lies you have made the heart of the righteous sad, whom I have not made sad; and you have^(X)strengthened the hands of the wicked, so that he does not turn from his wicked way to save his life.²³ Therefore^(Y)you shall no longer envision futility nor practice divination; for I will deliver My people out of your hand, and you shall know that IamtheLord.” ’ ”