God condemns false prophets who say Peace when there is no peace, comparing them to people who whitewash a flimsy wall. He also rebukes women who practise sorcery and lead people astray.
1 And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying ,
2 Son of man , prophesy against the prophets of Israel that prophesy , and say thou unto them that prophesy out of their own hearts , Hear ye the word of the LORD ;
3 Thus saith the Lord GOD ; Woe unto the foolish prophets , that follow their own spirit , and have seen nothing!
4 O Israel , thy prophets are like the foxes in the deserts .
5 Ye have not gone up into the gaps , neither made up the hedge for the house of Israel to stand in the battle in the day of the LORD .
6 They have seen vanity and lying divination , saying , The LORD saith : and the LORD hath not sent them: and they have made others to hope that they would confirm the word .
7 Have ye not seen a vain vision , and have ye not spoken a lying divination , whereas ye say , The LORD saith it; albeit I have not spoken ?
8 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD ; Because ye have spoken vanity , and seen lies , therefore, behold, I am against you, saith the Lord GOD .
9 And mine hand shall be upon the prophets that see vanity , and that divine lies : they shall not be in the assembly of my people , neither shall they be written in the writing of the house of Israel , neither shall they enter into the land of Israel ; and ye shall know that I am the Lord GOD .
10 Because, even because they have seduced my people , saying , Peace ; and there was no peace ; and one built up a wall , and, lo , others daubed it with untempered morter:
11 Say unto them which daub it with untempered morter, that it shall fall : there shall be an overflowing shower ; and ye , O great hailstones , shall fall ; and a stormy wind shall rend it.
12 Lo, when the wall is fallen , shall it not be said unto you, Where is the daubing wherewith ye have daubed it?
13 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD ; I will even rend it with a stormy wind in my fury ; and there shall be an overflowing shower in mine anger , and great hailstones in my fury to consume it.
14 So will I break down the wall that ye have daubed with untempered morter, and bring it down to the ground , so that the foundation thereof shall be discovered , and it shall fall , and ye shall be consumed in the midst thereof: and ye shall know that I am the LORD .
15 Thus will I accomplish my wrath upon the wall , and upon them that have daubed it with untempered morter, and will say unto you, The wall is no more, neither they that daubed it;
16 To wit, the prophets of Israel which prophesy concerning Jerusalem , and which see visions of peace for her, and there is no peace , saith the Lord GOD .
17 Likewise, thou son of man , set thy face against the daughters of thy people , which prophesy out of their own heart ; and prophesy thou against them,
18 And say , Thus saith the Lord GOD ; Woe to the women that sew pillows to all armholes , and make kerchiefs upon the head of every stature to hunt souls ! Will ye hunt the souls of my people , and will ye save the souls alive that come unto you?
19 And will ye pollute me among my people for handfuls of barley and for pieces of bread , to slay the souls that should not die , and to save the souls alive that should not live , by your lying to my people that hear your lies ?
20 Wherefore thus saith the Lord GOD ; Behold, I am against your pillows , wherewith ye there hunt the souls to make them fly , and I will tear them from your arms , and will let the souls go , even the souls that ye hunt to make them fly .
21 Your kerchiefs also will I tear , and deliver my people out of your hand , and they shall be no more in your hand to be hunted ; and ye shall know that I am the LORD .
22 Because with lies ye have made the heart of the righteous sad , whom I have not made sad ; and strengthened the hands of the wicked , that he should not return from his wicked way , by promising him life :
23 Therefore ye shall see no more vanity , nor divine divinations : for I will deliver my people out of your hand : and ye shall know that I am the LORD .