How long shall this be in the heart of the prophets that prophesy lies? yea, they are prophets of the deceit of their own heart;
Parallel translations
- WEB How long shall this be in the heart of the prophets who prophesy lies, even the prophets of the deceit of their own heart?
- BSB How long will this continue in the hearts of these prophets who prophesy falsehood, these prophets of the delusion of their own minds?
- NKJV How long will this be in the heart of the prophets who prophesy lies? Indeed they are prophets of the deceit of their own heart,
- NASB How long? Is there anything in the hearts of the prophets who prophesy falsehood, these prophets of the deceitfulness of their own heart,
- NLT How long will this go on? If they are prophets, they are prophets of deceit, inventing everything they say.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
God asks how long these prophets will keep prophesying lies that spring from the deceit of their own hearts. Their false words originate in self-deception, not in Him.
Overview
The LORD presses the question of how long such deception will persist among the prophets. Their lies flow from hearts bent on deceit rather than from God's word. The verse exposes the root problem as the corrupt human heart (cf. Jer 17:9), a malady only the new heart promised in the gospel can cure.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 12
- 1 Tim 4:1–2Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
- Jer 14:14Then 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.
- 2 Tim 4:3For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
- 2 Th 2:9–11Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
- 2 Pet 2:13–16And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you;
- Acts 13:10And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?
- Jer 4:14O Jerusalem, wash thine heart from wickedness, that thou mayest be saved. How long shall thy vain thoughts lodge within thee?
- Jer 13:27I have seen thine adulteries, and thy neighings, the lewdness of thy whoredom, and thine abominations on the hills in the fields. Woe unto thee, O Jerusalem! wilt thou not be made clean? when shall it once be?
- Hos 8:5Thy calf, O Samaria, hath cast thee off; mine anger is kindled against them: how long will it be ere they attain to innocency?
- Ps 4:2O ye sons of men, how long will ye turn my glory into shame? how long will ye love vanity, and seek after leasing? Selah.
- Jer 17:9The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?
- Isa 30:10Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits:
Themes, concepts, people & topics
Resources, by level
Commentaries & study tools
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Christ at the center
Against the failure of false shepherds Jeremiah promises the Righteous Branch, 'The LORD our righteousness,' and the new covenant written on the heart and sealed in the blood of Christ.
How Jeremiah 23:26 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.