Jeremiah 14:14
Then the Lord said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart.
Study Note
Study Note
God's diagnosis of the false prophets — 'they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart' — identifies the root of false prophecy as self-generated imagination rather than divine commission. The threefold denunciation (false vision, divination, worthlessness) classifies unauthorized prophetic speech alongside the condemned divinatory practices of the surrounding nations (Deuteronomy 18:10–12). The passage has been formative in discussions of prophetic discernment: Jeremiah 23:16–22 adds the criterion that true prophets have 'stood in the council of the Lord,' making divine encounter, not popular reception, the test of genuine prophetic authority.
Other Translations
Then Jehovah said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name; I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake I unto them: they prophesy unto you a lying vision, and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their own heart.
And Jehovah saith unto me: Falsehood the prophets are prophesying in My name, I did not send them, nor command them, Nor have I spoken unto them: A false vision, and divination, and vanity, And the deceit of their own heart, they are prophesying to you.
Then the Lord said to me, The prophets say false words in my name, and I gave them no orders, and I said nothing to them: what they say to you is a false vision and wonder-working words without substance, the deceit of their hearts.
Cross References
The ancient and honourable, he is the head; and the prophet that teacheth lies, he is the tail.
Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us …
Get you out of the way, turn aside out of the path, cause the Holy One of Israel to cease …
The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: …
I have seen also in the prophets of Jerusalem an horrible thing: they commit adultery, and walk in lies: they …
Thus saith the Lord of hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you: they make …
I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran: I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied.
Behold, I am against them that prophesy false dreams, saith the Lord, and do tell them, and cause my people …
Therefore hearken not ye to your prophets, nor to your diviners, nor to your dreamers, nor to your enchanters, nor …
For they prophesy a lie unto you, to remove you far from your land; and that I should drive you …