How long will this go on? If they are prophets, they are prophets of deceit, inventing everything they say.
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?
- KJV 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;
- 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,
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 4:1–2But the Spirit says expressly that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons,
- Jer 14:14Then Yahweh said to me, “The prophets prophesy lies in my name. I didn’t send them, neither have I commanded them, neither did I speak to them. They prophesy to you a lying vision, divination, and a thing of nothing, and the deceit of their own heart.
- 2 Tim 4:3For the time will come when they will not listen to the sound doctrine, but, having itching ears, will heap up for themselves teachers after their own lusts;
- 2 Th 2:9–11even he whose coming is according to the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
- 2 Pet 2:13–16receiving the wages of unrighteousness; people who count it pleasure to revel in the daytime, spots and defects, reveling in their deceit while they feast with you;
- Acts 13:10and said, “Full of all deceit and all cunning, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?
- Jer 4:14Jerusalem, wash your heart from wickedness, that you may be saved. How long shall your evil thoughts lodge within you?
- Jer 13:27I have seen your abominations, even your adulteries, and your neighing, the lewdness of your prostitution, on the hills in the field. Woe to you, Jerusalem! You will not be made clean; how long shall it yet be?”
- Hos 8:5Let Samaria throw out his calf idol! My anger burns against them! How long will it be until they are capable of purity?
- Ps 4:2You sons of men, how long shall my glory be turned into dishonor? Will you love vanity, and seek after falsehood? Selah.
- Jer 17:9The heart is deceitful above all things, and it is exceedingly corrupt. Who can know it?
- Isa 30:10who tell the seers, “Don’t see!” and to the prophets, “Don’t prophesy to us right things. Tell us pleasant things. Prophesy deceits.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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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
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