Jeremiah 5:31
The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?
Study Note
Study Note
'The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?' The triple diagnosis — false prophets, corrupt priests, compliant people — identifies a systemic failure of the entire covenant community rather than an isolated leadership crisis. The chilling closing question ('what will ye do in the end thereof?') suggests that self-reinforcing systems of religious falsehood carry built-in catastrophic trajectories. Isaiah 30:10, Micah 3:11, and 2 Timothy 4:3 ('they shall heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears') articulate the same diagnostic across centuries.
Other Translations
the prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?
The prophets have prophesied falsely, And the priests bear rule by their means, And My people have loved <FI>it<Fi> so, And what do they at its latter end?
The prophets give false words and the priests give decisions by their direction; and my people are glad to have it so: and what will you do in the end?
Cross References
The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites. Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? …
Get you out of the way, turn aside out of the path, cause the Holy One of Israel to cease …
Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us …
And the inhabitant of this isle shall say in that day, Behold, such is our expectation, whither we flee for …
And what will ye do in the day of visitation, and in the desolation which shall come from far? to …
How long shall this be in the heart of the prophets that prophesy lies? yea, they are prophets of the …
I have heard what the prophets said, that prophesy lies in my name, saying, I have dreamed, I have dreamed.
O inhabitant of Lebanon, that makest thy nest in the cedars, how gracious shalt thou be when pangs come upon …
The wind shall eat up all thy pastors, and thy lovers shall go into captivity: surely then shalt thou be …
Then the Lord said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I …